The South Downs stretch from East Sussex to Hampshire

The public inquiry started on 10 November 2003 and will have sat for a total of 90 days.

Attempts have been made for more than 100 years to obtain national park status to protect the area.

The 73 miles (118km) of rolling chalk hills extend across more than 400,000 acres from Eastbourne in East Sussex to Winchester in Hampshire.

Inspector's report

If approved, national park status will give the area the same protection as places like the Peak District and the Lake District.

The park has the backing of the Countryside Agency and conservation groups who want the area preserved and protected from development.

Objectors to the scheme include landowning and farming groups, who fear increased restrictions.

And councillors fear they will see their power over local planning matters transferred to a South Downs Park Authority.

Local authorities also fear it would attract a higher number of visitors to the area, causing traffic problems.

In the last 13 months, over 5,800 representations have been made to a government planning inspector.

The inspector will now prepare a report and recommendations for a decision by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.