Broadcast: News items

The new South Downs National Park - which almost entirely surrounds the University of Sussex campus - officially comes into being today (Wednesday 31 March).

Designation as a National Park is a formal recognition of the South Downs' special qualities in terms of natural beauty and opportunities for open-air recreation. It means that the 632 square-mile area will have the highest level of protection under the planning system.

As a result of the creation of the National Park, the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) ceases to exist after today.

Aside from helping to preserve the surrounding countryside, the operation and development of the University should not be altered by the new designation.

The reason for this is that the development of the University already takes place within an overarching Campus Development Plan, which was first developed in 2004 and which provides the framework for all future development at Sussex.

Appropriate planning permissions reflect the remarkable surrounding environment, using the palette of natural materials of brick, concrete, glass and copper set out by the founding Sussex architect, Sir Basil Spence.

The Campus Development Plan has been a key part of the University's successful approach with the statutory authorities: local councils and conservation bodies have strongly endorsed the approach taken by Sussex.

The South Downs National Park Authority will be formally created tomorrow (1 April) and the intention is for it to become operational (taking on its full range of statutory powers, functions and responsibilities) in a year's time, from 1 April 2011.

The Authority will be a new partner for Sussex as it continues to meet the needs of a growing institution, in harmony with the local landscape.