Speech by Hilary Benn at the South Downs National Park – stakeholder event at Petworth House, 7 May 2009

Not checked against delivery.

Good afternoon. It’s great to be back in the heart of the Downs – and to be here in Petworth House.

I’d like to express my sincere thanks to the National Trust, for welcoming us here today.

The long awaited decision to create a South Downs National Park is a reminder of the many years that it has taken to truly open up our countryside.

In 1810 Wordsworth described the Lake District as: ‘a sort of national property in which every man has a right and interest who has an eye to perceive and a heart to enjoy’.

In 1876 the Hayfield and Kinder Scout Ancient Footpaths Association was formed and the 'right to roam' movement was born.

In 1932 workers came out of Manchester’s mills and factories to join a mass trespass on that moorland plateau – city dwellers willing to break to law to be able to take the air in open country.

And then in 1949 – sixty years ago – we came together as a country to create national parks in our wonderful countryside, protected forever for the enjoyment of everyone.

By designating the South Downs National Park, taking in the unique chalk hills that slope across Southern England, we have drawn close to completing this story.

Sir Arthur Hobhouse can finally tick the last item off his list!

Some of you will know that I am fond of quoting a remark that Lewis Silkin, Clem Attlee’s Minister for Town and Country Planning, made while shepherding the National Parks Bill through the House of Commons.

But this afternoon we have someone with us who heard Silkin speak that day in 1949! Len Clark – it is an honour to have you here today. I want to thank you for your work, and recognise the hard work of all those who have campaigned for this cause for many years.

Silkin said:

‘Now at last we shall be able to see that the mountains… moors… dales… and tors belong to the people as a right and not as a concession. This is not just a Bill. It is a people’s charter… With it the countryside is theirs to preserve, to cherish, to enjoy and to make their own.’

More than ever before we are bringing life to that phrase ‘a people’s charter’ – because with the South Downs we are creating a new national park on London’s doorstep.

The high chalk downland, its small fields and deep wooded valleys, runs through our culture and through our souls.

It inspired the likes of Elgar, Tennyson and Austen. It features in the works of Wells, Forster and Conan Doyle.

It is a wilderness, timeless in its beauty. As Kipling wrote: ‘our blunt, bow-headed, whale-backed Downs... knew England before the flood and before the Crown.’

This park will help secure that heritage for future generations.

It will ensure that the finest parts of our landscape are conserved and that everyone has the chance to enjoy the outdoors – to fill their lungs and clear their heads, to keep fit and reconnect with nature.

And I understand the concerns that people may have.

This will be the third biggest of England’s Parks, and the most populated. Given its size, I have indicated that planning should be delegated, but of course it will be for the National Park Authority to make the final decision on this.

I want to echo Huw’s remarks on the value of this park for local communities. I believe that it will help improve economic and social well-being in the area, as such designations have elsewhere, not least by creating additional jobs – green jobs.

The environment is not something that we can just put to one side in hard economic times. Indeed, we should recognise its worth, now more than ever, and value the goods, the services and the jobs that it provides.

It is a rare thing that a government should legislate for the preservation of beauty. But in 1949 – when times were really tough – that’s what they did.

We should recognise today that our environment – preserved and protected – this environment that we hold so dear – is one of the most precious economic resources we have.

So I am confident that with your support this new National Park will be a great success and a source of even greater pride – to its residents, but also to the nation – in the years to come.

Thank you.                                                                                  

 

Page published: 18 May 2009