EFFORTS to support Petersfield's inclusion within the controversial South Downs National Park centred on a 'secret weapon' this week. The South Downs Campaign (SDC), which is feverishly working to get the western Weald included in the park, called on Robert Tregay to give evidence in Worthing, West Sussex. It was hoped that Professor Tregay's submission ould help persuade the inquiry inspector to change his mind regarding the contentious park boundaries. Campaigners were in positive mood after last week when they took to the stand to present their case during a three-day session on the western Weald. Petersfield, Liss and surrounding villages are being debated as the inquiry reaches its final phase. Professor Tregay's appearance rounded off a week of presentations to the inquiry in which the SDC provided substantial new evidence for the inspector to consider. Throughout last week, the SDC showed many times that the advice given to the inspector by his landscape adviser was fundamentally flawed, and often without any evidence to substantiate it. The SDC's work was co-ordinated by Margaret Paren, who has worked tirelessly over the past year, in a voluntary capacity, to gather the necessary evidence to create a convincing case as to why the western Weald should be part of the new South Downs National Park. She was supported by many of the SDC's member organisations, such as the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), the Ramblers' Association, the Council for National Parks, the South Downs Society, Liss Parish Council, The Petersfield Society, and the Woolmer Forest Heritage Society. SDC members said they were also grateful for the support they had received from numerous individuals who had given up their time to gather evidence. The SDC hoped that Professor Tregay's appearance would greatly strengthen their case by convincing the inspector that there was a substantial body of opinion, including professional opinion, that believed the South Downs National Park should look forward to the 21st Century and include the western Weald. South Downs Campaign chairman Robin Crane said: "We were fortunate in being able to commission Professor Tregay to appear as our expert witness at the re-opened South Downs public inquiry. He is regarded as one of the most distinguished landscape consultants in the UK and has the added advantage of having spent several years studying the area when he worked for the Countryside Agency on the initial South Downs National Park proposals. "His knowledge in this area has been a real boon to the campaign's case and will help convince the inspector of the need to revisit his conclusions regarding the western Weald." Mrs Paren, the SDC vice-chairman, added: "Last week was an incredibly busy week, presenting evidence on nine different topic areas. It went very well and we put to the inspector a significant amount of new evidence. "We are confident that we have presented a strong case for including the western Weald and that the inspector will take it into account when he considers his new recommendations. "After the appearance of Professor Robert Tregay, all we can do is to remain vigilant to ensure that if anyone tries to claim that the western Weald should not be in the national park, that their evidence is firmly rebutted." Last Tuesday, Mrs Paren presented the opening statement on behalf of the SDC. Last week, those who gave evidence for the area seemed encouraged by the response they got having presented their proofs of evidence. Nigel Paren, who presented a proof of evidence to support Liss, said: "I think the three days last week went very well. The most significant thing is we seem to have got through to the inspector. "It was interesting that the inspector seemed to show far greater interest than last time around. What we imposed on him was that the original designated boundary had much wider support than the revised one. "It shows the work has been well worthwhile. There is some form of cause for optimism." It was expected to be mid-May before the inspector handed over his report to the Government, with a final decision expected in January. At a Liss Parish Council meeting on Monday, Howard Linsley said: "I think we owe an enormous debt to Margaret Paren, and also Nigel Paren and Sue Halstead. It's quite clear five minutes of presenting evidence means many many hours of preparation. The village owes a debt."
