A FORMER mayor of Petersfield has questioned whether Petersfield can justify its place in the new South Downs National Park, after sparking a war of words over the state of the Heath pond and the town's square.

John Crowhurst has taken the town council to task over the state of the pond in Heath Road, often referred to as Petersfield's jewel in the crown, claiming "significant weaknesses" in the way it is managed.

For full story, see this week's Petersfield Herald.