ALTON could be the loser in the creation of a new South Downs National Park if local people don't find a voice and join the debate.

In a "wake-up" call to the people of Alton and the surrounding villages, East Hampshire District Council has sought to stress the urgency in seeking to get the best deal for the area despite there being little opportunity for it to be included within the designated park boundary.

As previously reported in The Herald, the Countryside Agency has identified an 'area of search' which embraces the Sussex Downs and the East Hampshire Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, missing out Alton, Bordon and Petersfield, but running up through the Hangers to include Alice Holt Forest.

Controversially, it does not include the A3 transport corridor, which currently enjoys AONB protection

As a gateway to a national park which could absorb up to 40 per cent of the district, the fear is that Alton, together with Bordon and Whitehill, could become a prime target for developers.

Speaking at a press briefing in his capacity as cabinet member with portfolio for environment and the countryside, Alton councillor Patrick Burridge warned that, in addition to "enormous pressure" from increased visitor activity, in terms of facilities and infrastructure, the area may well feel the impact of displaced development and a further hike in house prices. In other national park areas prices were reported to have risen by ten to 15 per cent, sparking yet greater concerns about affordablilty.

"There is a huge lobby to put Petersfield and Liss back into the park area which would put yet more pressure on Alton," stressed Mr Burridge who added: "Everyone in Petersfield seems to be having their say, and I don't want this area to be left behind."

The councillor stressed that it was important that residents make their opinions known at this early stage so that they influence the Countryside Agency before it draws up a draft boundary in September.

Essentially the district council is concerned about the environmental impact of the proposed national park.

Unlike the current AONB designation which provides for the conservation of an area, the National Park Authority would have an additional duty to develop recreational opportunities which, it is felt, could increase development and, being the closest park to London, would attract more visitors to the area.

While reserving final judgment until more detailed information is available, EHDC would prefer the park to be confined to the chalk ridge, which runs south of Petersfield and north of Clanfield, leaving a substantial tract of AONB to the north in East Hampshire, Winchester and Chichester.

This, it is thought, could benefit from enhanced funding and powers for AONBs which should be available through the new Countryside and Rights of Way Act.

It is also felt that outdoor recreation would be easier to manage on the chalk ridge than in the more fragile lowland areas where farming and landscape would be more vulnerable to visitor pressures.

As such the district council is seeking a "park tailor-made for the 21st century" which would take account of the fact that this would be very different in nature from any existing national park, being linear and not circular in shape, measuring 106 miles across from east to west, and with more than double the population.

Despite requiring special legislation, which would take time to implement, it is felt that the 'tailor-made' arrangements could ensure that most planning decisions continue to be taken locally by a democratically elected body.

This would help to dispel current fears that EHDC could lose planning control of around 40 per cent of the district to the new South Downs National Park Authority resulting in a large displacement of housing and employment beyond the park boundary.

Details about the proposals for the South Downs National Park can be found on the Countryside Agency's website http://www.countryside.gov.uk">www.countryside.gov.uk

Residents who wish to comment should write to the Head of the National Park Designation Team, Marion Spain at the Countryside Agency, Dacre House, 19 Dacre Street, London SW1H ODH.