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South Downs NPA comes into effect
The new South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) has come into effect, which will be responsible for the management of 1,600sq km (618sq miles) across southern England.
Around 100,000 people live within the boundaries of the new South Downs National Park, which covers an area between Winchester, Hampshire, and Eastbourne, East Sussex. SDNPA will become the local planning authority and is expected to be responsible for the outcome of more than 4,000 planning applications each year.
The government announced earlier this year that £11.4m had been allocated to the national park authority to help it carry out its work during the financial year. SDNPA chair Margaret Paren said: "As the new authority, we have statutory purposes and socio-economic duties which we will be working hard to fulfil.
"By working together, we can all protect and enhance the National Park for residents and visitors today and future generations to come."