In March 2009 the environment secretary, Hilary Benn, announced that the South Downs was to be given National Park status. This followed a 19-month public inquiry. As far back as 1947, the Hobhouse Report identified the South Downs as worthy of this status, and the idea was suggested again in 1956, but at that stage the proposal was not followed up.
The early twentieth century witnessed growing public appreciation of the great outdoors and increasing demands, particularly in the industrial cities of northern England, for access to the countryside. For years there was much talk but no action, leading to the 1932 ‘mass trespass’ on Kinder Scout in the Peak District, which resulted in the imprisonment of five men. Further public pressure followed and in 1949 the government passed an Act of Parliament establishing National Parks.
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