The South Downs National Park which covers 627 square-miles across Sussex and Hampshire, was officially inaugurated.

The project was approved two years ago, more than 60 years since the area was recommended as a National Park and a decade since the UK Government first announced its intention to designate it as such.

The area of rolling chalk uplands, river valleys and wooded greens, which stretches more than 100 miles from Winchester in the west to Eastbourne in the east, then became England’s 10th National Park a year ago.

The South Downs National Park Authority will be responsible for all planning within the park, and with 4,000 planning applications a year, it will be one of the largest planning authorities in the country. However, the 15 local authorities within the park’s boundaries are expected to provide many of the day to day planning services on its behalf.

SDNPA official Margaret Paren said: “This is be a long-awaited and historic day for everyone who loves the South Downs.

“Given the unique character of the National Park, over the past year we have been developing our approach for the future in close consultation with local communities, environmental groups and landowners.”