1
Oct
South Downs National Park Authority to move to Midhurst
Francis Martin, managing partner of Keats in Midhurst, is
excited to announce that on Tuesday 28 September, Members of South
Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) made a decision on the long
term location of the SDNPA headquarters. The South Downs National
Park Authority has agreed to enter into contract negotiations to
buy Capron House in Midhurst, West Sussex, subject to planning
permission.
Subject to contract, the deal would secure half of Capron House and
the Memorial Hall at the back of the building, in total some 11,000
square feet. The National Park Authority would seek to move staff
into the building by the end of 2012, with approximately 60-70
staff in situ. The West Wing of Capron House would not form part of
the purchase and is currently leased to five tenants.
Commenting on the decision to progress with Capron House,
Margaret Paren, Chair of South Downs National Park Authority said,
‘The selection of the Authority’s HQ has generated a
wide degree of interest. We have undertaken an extensive amount of
research in finding a suitable building. A shortlist of 15 possible
buildings from across the area were considered for the HQ. In
reaching our decision, as well as evaluating the shortlist on a
number of criteria, we also felt it important to consider the views
expressed by people from our online premises consultation. On
balance the Authority felt that Capron House most strongly met the
criteria of both the consultation and the evaluation.
The South Downs National Park designation took effect from 31
March 2010. The Purposes of the South Downs National Park are:
1. To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and
cultural heritage of the area
2. To promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment
of the Park’s special qualities by the public
Covering an area over 1,600 square kilometres, the South Downs
National Park stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to the chalk
cliffs of Eastbourne in East Sussex, with over 107,000 people
living in the area.