winter/spring 2017 Sussex Promoting & Protecting your Countryside SUSSEX REVIEW

The battle for Sussex heats up Celebrate the best – enter the Countryside Awards

Contents CPRE Sussex Photography Credits Brownings Farm, Cover: Ashdown Forest – NEWS Blackboys, Uckfield, Chris Mole/SWT 3 Update , TN22 5HG 2: Fly orchid – 4 The fight for our Sussex Phone: 01825 890975 Nigel Symington/SWT countryside Email: [email protected] 5: Poster, Imperial War Museum LOCAL CHALLENGES Visit us at: www.cpresussex.org.uk 6 & 9: David Rees Davies 6 The battle Sussex can’t Registered Charity number: 10: Ashdown Forest – afford to lose 1156568 Nigel Symington/SWT 10 Erosion of our wild and For Membership Information 11: Rye Harbour – Barry Yates/SWT wonderful countryside please contact the office as 12: Adonis Blue butterfly – 12 Safeguarding our wildlife above or join on line at Neil Hulme/SWT 14-17: The Woodland Trust 14 Ancient and defenceless www.cpresussex.org.uk 18: Down land, Eastbourne – CONNECTING President Captain Roger Fenton/Flickr WITH THE COUNTRYSIDE Lord Egremont 19: Cowslips on – 18 Halt the plan to sell off Vice Presidents (SWT) our Downs Margaret Moore 22: House Sparrow, Brighton’s PLANNING FOR NATURE Gerald Summerfield Green Ridge – Colin Leeves 22 Help house sparrows! Rodney Chambers 23: David Rees Davies Trustees STANDING UP FOR Chairman: David Johnson LOCAL GROUPS THE COUNTRYSIDE Treasurer: Julian Hill ADUR & WORTHING Countryside hero stands 23 Rodney Chambers Bill Freeman up to developers Stephen Hardy, Penelope Hudd [email protected] 24 Call for Entries – John Kay, Sally Pavey ARUN Countryside Awards Dr Roger Smith, David Willingham Martin Beaton Dates for your diary Staff (part time) [email protected] Branch Director: Kia Trainor BRIGHTON & HOVE Branch Administrator: Corinne Attwood Published by CPRE Sussex, Lesley Wilson [email protected] the Sussex Branch of Office Administrator/Accounts: CHICHESTER SOUTH the Campaign to Protect Sas Drury Vacant Rural England. Review: Content & Design NATIONAL PARK/ We exist to protect and promote Penny Hudd CHICHESTER NORTH the beauty, tranquility and Design & Production Vacant diversity of our countryside Emily Wilkinson HORSHAM &CRAWLEY by encouraging the sustainable [email protected] Dr Roger Smith use of land and natural resources Editor [email protected] in town and country. Judith Chamberlain Printing Edmund Critchley CPRE Sussex is an independent One Digital 01273 887575 [email protected] charity relying entirely on MID SUSSEX membership subscriptions, Michael Brown donations and legacies to fund [email protected] our work. What makes our work ROTHER & so effective is our network of Stephen Hardy active volunteers and the support [email protected] of our members. WEALDEN SOUTH The opinions expressed in John Hurwood the Review reflect the views [email protected] and interests of individual WEALDEN NORTH contributors and do not David Connoley necessarily reflect those [email protected] 2 of the Branch. Update e are hugely In the Autumn of last year we grateful for your launched our well received ‘Making support in building Places’ manual at the HQ of the up our fighting Royal Institute of British Architects funds as the scale of challenges (RIBA) in with a debate across the county continues to entitled ‘How can localism create escalate. beauty?’. The Making Places manual is the output of a one-year Your generosity makes a huge project with seven Sussex parishes difference to the support we who need to accommodate can offer to local groups and significant amounts of new our volunteers who are fighting housing. It shows how parish/ off threats from inappropriate town councils or Neighbourhood development. Forums can establish what ‘good design’ means for their Sussex is a fantastic place to community by analysing each live, work and visit. The balance settlement’s character, buildings between accommodating growth and rural setting and discussing and protecting the heritage and the importance and effectiveness environment which make Sussex of the existing layout. An initial so special can be difficult to series of Making Places Workshops Thank you once again achieve. Thank you to our fantastic showed that many local people for your very generous volunteers who are preparing feel positive about development response to our Autumn evidence for local plan hearings but they want a role in shaping appeal. by the planning expectorate the places where they live. Most in Mid Sussex, Adur and Arun, negative views could be traced to Wealden and Chichester. Although experiences of inappropriate or the Government maintains its dysfunctional development in the commitment to giving local past and a feeling of frustration people ‘a voice’ in planning over the planners’ refusal to listen. through Neighbourhood Plans and emphasises the great importance Residents who took part in the it places on protecting ‘our workshops felt passionately about special places’ such as National the character and integrity of their Parks and Areas of outstanding communities and wanted to ensure Beauty, the fight goes on at a local that expansion would meet local level against opportunistic and needs for open space, affordable speculative development. homes, services and jobs. We are now putting together an external For example, recently we have been funding bid for ‘phase 2’ of the experiencing an exceptionally high project – more detailed support number of calls asking for help and for parishes to embed this work advice from local communities, into emerging policies and deliver especially from locations where improvements on the ground. we do not have an active volunteer group, areas like Arun and In 2017 we are expanding our Chichester where so much is programme of tours and talks, happening. This year a major focus developing our Biodiversity Group will be on developing new groups – ‘Planning for Nature.’ And finally there so if you live in either of we are very excited to launch the these Districts and feel that you Countryside Awards! may be able to help, please do let us know. (email:info@cpresussex. Kia Trainor, org.uk / call: 01825 890 975) Director, CPRE Sussex 3 The fight for our Sussex countryside

Nick Herbert MP outlines the pressures on the National Park and his real concern for the surrounding areas.

am privileged to represent I am rather more concerned CPRE’s national team to raise the Arundel & South about what’s happening outside this issue in Parliament, and Downs constituency, one the Park, where the countryside I’m delighted to say that the of the most beautiful in is less protected and where Planning Minister responded by England, much of its 250 square development pressures are rising. agreeing to some of our proposals miles falling within the South It has not been all bad news. At and announcing a change Downs National Park. Attending its best, Neighbourhood Planning, to give greater protection to the National Trust’s exhibition introduced under the Localism Neighbourhood Plans. of ‘Turner and the Age of British Act 2011, has given communities Watercolour’ at in more control over where Problems remain where councils January, I was once again development goes, with decisions have failed to adopt a Local Plan, reminded of the historic value of a validated democratically through while the housing numbers they landscape that has been portrayed a local referendum. It has been must provide for have increased by many of our greatest artists. interesting to see that local people as every year goes by, reflecting have responded positively to the a rising population and demand. There are undoubtedly challenges opportunity to think about what We can expect even more pressure and pressures in Britain’s most they want in their villages rather from rumoured changes in the populated National Park. For than what they don’t want. imminent Housing White Paper. instance, I’ve led opposition to The root of the problem is a ill-judged proposals by Forest But there’s been growing concern shortage of housing, exacerbated Enterprise to build lodges in 77 that Neighbourhood Plans have by regional imbalances which sees acres of woodland at Madehurst, been undermined by speculative demand concentrated in southern warning that it would transform a developers who have been able counties like our own. The large area of natural woodland to to ‘game’ the system, breaking solutions are complex, but a crude become a suburban-style theme through the Plans by claiming relaxation of planning controls is park. At least normal planning that local authorities have an not one of them. processes in the Park, which inadequate five-year land supply rightly enjoys the highest level of while cynically contributing to In the small towns and landscape protection, should see that situation by failing to build villages of my constituency, bad ideas like these off. themselves. I worked with the local infrastructure is already 4 News inadequate, reflected for instance the southernmost extremity of on which John Betjeman wanted by oversubscribed local schools the Park. The A27 already runs friendly bombs to fall. No-one says and extended GP waiting lists. through the Park for much of that Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Random development has its route, including at Arundel. Bridge despoils the Avon Gorge. exacerbated these problems, and Crucially, a bypass is needed to The Balcombe Viaduct is a construction is eroding the green stop rat-running not just through stunning Sussex landmark. I am space between villages, leading to the historic town but through the a member of Respublica’s ‘Backing the slow suburbanisation of once- National Park’s downland and Beauty Commission’, a campaign rural areas. Yet young people face villages, which is why there is to put beauty, placemaking and the unfairness of high rents and such strong local support for the community participation at the property prices that are completely scheme. Storrington’s high traffic heart of local planning and wider out of their reach. levels give it some of the worst air public policy. It would only take pollution in the country. a little imagination to achieve One idea is to build new towns these goals. rather than extend villages, but The alternatives are all less these must have local support. palatable: a bypass that misses As we struggle to meet the The proposed Mayfield new town the Park but damages the villages economic demands of a rising near Henfield is the worst example of Walberton and Binsted, or one population, we must remember of a poorly located scheme that that cuts right through Arundel, that is in the national interest is rightly opposed by every local which would be deeply unpopular, to protect the countryside, too. council. The plan has blighted local or no bypass at all, which would In my office at Westminster I properties while its promoters have mean continuing delays and traffic have a print of Frank Newbould’s persistently sought to overturn diverting through the Park. Not all famous wartime poster of the local plans in an attempt to road schemes need be bad. I have South Downs. “Your Britain - Fight insinuate their own proposal. It is proposed that a beautiful bridge is For It Now” urges the slogan. It the wrong way to get the housing built over the Arun, just as a British is significant that a love for our we need. architect, Norman Foster, designed countryside was deployed to incite the sensational Millau Bridge over a patriotic fervour. The landscape No development is free from the River Tarn in France. is indeed a part of our national dispute, just as there is no identity. Today we face a different uncontroversial means to generate If we could learn to build kind of battle for the countryside, energy. Fracking obviously carries beautifully, much concern about one which I will continue, risks to the countryside, and I development of all kinds would be alongside the CPRE, to join. have worked to ensure that it does mitigated. After all, it wasn’t Bath not damage the South Downs, but in the eyes of many people wind turbines and solar panels can despoil the landscape, too. Even the offshore wind generation off the Sussex coast has had its opponents.

And then there are roads schemes. This summer, will consult over routes for the Arundel Bypass. I would urge people not to assume that the bypass is bad simply because a small section will go through the National Park. This part is not chalk downland, but an area of replanted woodland at The battle Sussex can’t afford to lose How loopholes and legalities are robbing us of our countryside.

Jane Watson reports from the front line at the Mid Sussex Local Plan Examination on how escape clauses in the National Planning Policy Framework are sending housing targets through the roof, potentially ruining our landscape.

n 2011 the Secretary of even before the ink had dried on unfolding which is a very far cry State for Communities, the legislation. The NPPF was from Eric Pickles’ new ‘era of Eric Pickles, announced peppered with loopholes and people power’. ‘a new era of people provided a perfect feeding ground power’. This was the launch for speculative developers keen The Public Examination of Mid of the Localism Act – billed at to cash in on the ever growing Sussex’s Local Plan has courted the time as ‘a ground-breaking housing crisis. controversy from its outset. On shift in power to councils and the very first day the government communities overturning “The Public Examination planning inspector, Jonathan Bore, decades of central government of Mid Sussex’s Local Plan was forced to open the proceedings control’. The new legislation was has courted controversy by declaring his ‘impartiality’ followed a year later by a concise from its outset.” following the revelation that he guidebook to planning policy, knows the founding Director of called the National Planning Policy It wasn’t long before an army of Mayfield Market Towns (MMT). Framework (NPPF). The guide was, opportunistic developers had set MMT is a speculative property said the minister for planning, their sights on the lucrative green company which has spent the past Greg Clarke, ‘written simply and fields of Sussex, armed themselves four years hounding local planners clearly’ to ‘allow people and with savvy lawyers, and started to throughout Sussex in a bid to build communities back into planning’. exploit these new planning laws. a widely opposed new settlement. This ‘invasion’ quickly gathered This should have been cause for pace and for the past four years Mr Bore became an inspector celebration across rural Sussex the Sussex countryside has been, after retiring from his job as – at last communities could quite literally, fighting for its life. head of planning for Kensington draw up their own local plans and Chelsea Borough Council and protect themselves from In November, this battle moved in London where he had worked unsuitable development. However, to the pretty, rural district of Mid with Lady Victoria Borwick MP, there were storm clouds gathering Sussex where a drama is now who is married to MMT Director, 6 Local challenges

Lord Jamie Borwick. Declaring unscrupulous building lobby it The Council faced the his ‘impartiality’ Mr Bore insisted has ever been my pleasure to have prospect of defending its that he had only met Lord to deal with.” To make matters Local Plan against what Sir Borwick ‘occasionally’ and they worse, ten of these companies Nicholas Soames described had ‘never discussed planning had joined forces to create The as: “The most unscrupulous issues’. However, the revelation Mid Sussex Developers Forum building lobby it has ever was snapped up by the Mid Sussex (MSDF) – a temporary arrangement been my pleasure to have Times which published a story which Sir Nicholas called “a bogus under the title ‘Planning Inspector development forum that had been to deal with.” states “Impartiality” as he knows rushed together to try to present one of the four men who drafted the new market town director’. itself as reputable”. the original NPPF.

The Examination itself quickly Next to MSDF, but not part of it, If, on reading this account, you assumed an atmosphere not was a formidable line up of experts are already feeling uncomfortable dissimilar to that of a court of law representing MMT – headed by a about the way the examination – with the Council ‘in the dock’, government planning advisor, John was shaping up, be warned – defending its actions against a Rhodes. things were about to get very sea of hostile witnesses. Seated much worse. opposite Mid Sussex’s planning Mr Rhodes was one of the men team, and CPRE’s volunteer who created the existing planning By the afternoon of the first Michael Brown, lining two sides laws and must have an intimate day the barrister representing of the wood-panelled Council knowledge of the strengths and MSDF had already persuaded the Chamber, were the teams of weaknesses in current legislation. inspector that the Council’s plan lawyers and planning consultants He joined the Mid Sussex hearing to build 800 new homes every year representing nearly 20 property fresh from his position as chairman until 2031, was not enough. developers. of the government’s Local Plan Expert Panel which had been Mr Bore, who has very little The Council was now facing the advising the planning minister on experience of the local area, prospect of defending its Local new changes to the planning laws pondered for a few minutes over Plan against what Sir Nicholas in preparation for this year’s new how much to increase the figure, Soames described as: “The most Housing White Paper. He was also before coming to the conclusion 7 Government planning inspector, Jonathon Bore

A 25% ‘uplift’ recommended to Mr Bore process, because an ‘out of date’ communities, but it solves only by MSDF equates to 3,400 plan provides even richer pickings part of Mid Sussex’s problem. extra homes in addition by creating a ‘free for all’. The to the 11,200 already developers are holding the cards. Back at the hearing, and less than proposed by the Council – a an hour after the two MPs had total of nearly 15,000 over No one is more aware of this spoken passionately in support of the next 14 years. injustice than South Downs and the Mid Sussex Plan, praising the Arundel MP, Nick Herbert, who, Council for its “hard work”, and that it should be somewhere together with Sir Nicholas, made “credibility and integrity”, MMT’s between the Council’s original an appearance at the Mid Sussex influential planning advisor, John calculations, and the 25% ‘uplift’ hearing to express his support for Rhodes, stood up to speak. As recommended to him by MSDF. the Council’s Plan. In December, a high-profile and indisputable This would equate to 3,400 extra Mr Herbert successfully tabled an expert on the legislation he homes in addition to the 11,200 Amendment to the Housing Bill to commands great respect in already proposed by the Council provide greater protection for local planning circles, and the inspector – a total of nearly 15,000 over the plans. In Parliament he said: made no attempt to interrupt what next 14 years. He gave the Council followed. a week to discuss its options with “There is a real danger of the developers and report back undermining localism and Mr Rhodes’ speech was lengthy with a new increased figure. communities if we do not act and deeply insulting, not only to to ensure that the principles of Mid Sussex, but also to the county Mr Bore’s stance put the Council neighbourhood plans are upheld as a whole. Speaking directly to the in an impossible position – it and that made neighbourhood inspector, he declared that Sussex desperately needs the inspector plans that have been approved is “a part of the country which has to approve its Local Plan in order by the local population in a failed – it has failed in relation to retain control and protect the democratic vote cannot be to the NPPF and it has failed in District from unsuitable and overturned by speculative relation to its residents. It has unsustainable development. developers.” failed spectacularly”. However, if it agrees to allocate land for too many houses, and “The loophole has to be closed, He then stated that Mid Sussex had then finds itself unable to prove and I very much hope that the “an unsound plan” and outlined, that they can be built at the Government will do so”. in detail, the steps he thought the prescribed rate, then the Council’s inspector should take to remedy policies relating to where houses As a result, on 12 December, the the problem. These included should go would be considered housing minister, Gavin Barwell, forcing the Council to agree to a ‘out of date’ and therefore void. issued a written statement which strict review to address not only Unfortunately for the Council, changed the law immediately – its own housing needs, but also a the build rate is something it shortening the housing supply shortfall of houses in neighbouring can’t control, because developers requirement from five to three and coastal districts – a figure frequently slow down delivery years. This small change in the which he calculated as being a or ‘land bank’ sites, to maximise detail of the NPPF is great news total of 38,500 new homes. That profits. And there is little incentive for the countryside because it equates to nearly one and a half for these builders to speed up the gives some control to the local new Haywards Heaths. 8 Local challenges

Finally, to add insult to injury, he offered to help draft alterations to inspector examining the Horsham the plan saying that “with respect, Plan. So how, given his high profile Mid Sussex is not the only district the local authorities in this area position, is Mr Rhodes allowed to struggling to produce a Local need some help in identifying promote a proposal like this? Even Plan under near impossible their responsibilities in terms of if, as seems likely, MMT’s efforts circumstances. A quick Google proactive action to look at the are thwarted yet again, Mr Rhodes’ search will uncover all kinds of extent of the need”. There can input could inflict irreversible similar stories across the country be no doubt that the solution Mr damage on the Sussex countryside – particularly in the south where Rhodes is alluding to is none other by driving the housing figures way house building is most lucrative. than his wealthy employer’s new beyond what is sustainable. settlement. Shaun Spiers, CPRE chief executive, However, Sussex has a history of says the government “must “We need realistic standing up for itself (the County’s address the main failing of the deliverable housing targets unofficial motto is “we wunt be current system – undeliverable that meet local need across druv”). Sussex is also a county housing targets which lead to the country. And then we which values its countryside acrimonious planning conflicts need to get on with building – and nothing illustrates this without increasing the overall the homes the country more clearly than the principled number of homes built”. needs.” land owner, Robert Worsley, who famously turned down £275m to “Villages and small towns across This attack on the democratic save his land from the bulldozers. England are being besieged by planning process from a man Robert Worsley’s passion for the multiple planning applications trusted by the government to countryside doesn’t stop there. He, that pay no heed to sustainability draft national legislation raises like Nick Herbert and Sir Nicholas, or real need,” he says. “All the some serious questions. MMT is a sees deep injustice in the planning evidence is that if you work with speculative company which has, in system and feels compelled to do communities, they will get behind Mr Herbert’s words, been behaving something about it. necessary development, but if you “appallingly in trying to undermine seek to impose it on them, they Mid Sussex’s District Plan, which In January, Robert made the will fight it.” they effectively hope to get over- headlines again by appearing at turned”. the Mid Sussex hearing to publicly “We need realistic deliverable challenge the developers over their housing targets that meet local “They’re not getting their way refusal to accept they can’t build need across the country. And then through the democratic process,” on his land. we need to get on with building the added Mr Herbert, “so they’re homes the country needs.” trying to subvert it. I think that is He says he decided to speak out absolutely contemptible.” because he is so frustrated by the MMT has already been rejected injustices of the planning system by all the local councils, MPs, and wanted to appeal directly to residents, landowners and even, the inspector. For a full account of critically, by the government Robert Worsley’s challenge, see page 23. 9 Erosion of our wild and wonderful countryside

Michael Brown, CPRE Sussex volunteer, wonders what will be left of this beautiful county if the law’s highest level of protection continues to be flagrantly disregarded.

he High and all ‘major development’ within an a 100-acre unallocated site that AONB or national park other than MSDC itself described as ‘very are two of 34 Areas of in exceptional circumstances and unsuitable’ for development just Outstanding Natural where there is a public interest six months earlier. Beauty (AONBs) in England imperative to do so. Build over an which, together with 13 national AONB, and that special part of our In so doing MSDC ignored parks, have been designated by countryside is forever lost to us. unequivocal advice from Natural Parliament as areas whose very The system is meant to stop that England and the High Weald AONB special natural landscape, beauty from happening. Unit that the development would and relative wildness require active cause significant harm to the High conservation for the sake of future That system is not working, and Weald and that the exceptional generations, and hence the highest we need to shout our concerns circumstances test was not met. level of protection in the planning about that from the rooftops. Look CPRE’s detailed objections were system. Local Planning Authorities no further than Pease Pottage, cast aside. Even Crawley Borough are required to maintain detailed a village on the edge of the High Council opposed development of plans for the evolving conservation, Weald AONB adjacent to Handcross this site. enhancement and long-term and not far from Crawley. Mid sustainable management of Sussex District Council (MSDC) An attempt by CPRE to persuade AONBs, as well as facilitating public has just unanimously approved the Secretary of State to use access and education as to their the development of an estate his reserve power to call in the environmental and historic value. of 600 houses there within the decision and determine it himself AONB boundary, primarily to meet was turned down on the ground These environmental treasures the unmet needs of residents of that decisions of this kind were are amongst the most precious, Crawley Borough Council. The best taken locally. but sensitive, parts of England’s development will take place on countryside and heritage. That This is not an isolated incident. is why they have been singled That system is not working, Another 90 homes were approved out for special protection from and we need to shout our in 2015 at nearby Handcross, also development, and why the concerns about that from within the High Weald. CPRE planning rules purport to rule out the rooftops. had to go to the Court of Appeal to 10 Local challenges

“ We need to be arguing the problem of when that principle We need to be arguing for a clearer for a clearer Governmental applies in practice. Governmental statement of statement of obligation obligation on planning authorities on planning authorities to In the absence of clear to conserve and enhance all AONBs conserve and enhance all Governmental guidance on what and national parks irrespective of AONBs and national parks the ‘highest status of protection’ housing shortfall pressures. We irrespective of housing from development of AONBs need to be arguing for the planning shortfall pressures.” means in practice, and under huge rules to be applied consistently pressure to build, build, build, across all local planning bodies, get a similar-sized development planning authorities are buckling and for the Secretary of State overturned in the Kent Downs under the pressure to approve to play a larger role in decision AONB. development in wholly unsuitable making, especially in cases where and unsustainable locations, and the statutory consultees such as MSDC has even just announced are applying the planning rules Natural England and/or AONB Units that, if it is forced to increase its inconsistently. advise (as in the Pease Pottage annual housing target in its draft case) that a major development new District Plan beyond the So let us be clear: whatever the will cause significant harm. currently proposed 800 homes, it pressure, national parks and may consider permitting 200–350 AONBs are not designated for the Protected beautiful places must more houses on multiple other purpose of forming convenient not be sacrificed – no more Pease sites within the High Weald. longstop locations to get this Pottages! country out of its housing shortfall As a recent CPRE-briefed leading mess. If it were otherwise, special article in The Times about the statutory designations would have Pease Pottage decision pointed no purpose; and we, one day, will out, the rules governing rural have no more wild and wonderful If you are worried about planning and their interface with countryside and landscapes for protecting our most beautiful the drive for more housing are “as future generations to cherish. I places write to your local MP. clear as mud”. The Government don’t want to be left to explain to To find your MP go to www. came out for the principle of my grandchildren how we let theyworkforyou.com/MP conservation in their manifesto, that happen. only to outsource to overstretched and under-funded local councils 11 Safeguarding our wildlife Tony Whitbread, Sussex Wildlife Trust’s chief executive, says politicians should be held accountable for improving wildlife protection and developing a viable, environmentally friendly farming industry.

or decades Britain has in preventing a ‘race to the bottom’ for wildlife, with agricultural and been part of the EU and, and has driven significant wildlife marine fisheries policies driving overall, this has been a protection. Funding for biodiversity much of the environmental positive influence on has been supplied through the EU damage of the last decades. our environment. while rivers, water catchments and coastal zones have been hugely The threats posed by leaving the Before we joined the EU, improved and our most valuable EU are all too real. Re-branding Britain was known, with some places and species have been sensible environmental safeguards justification, as the ‘dirty man of protected because of EU Directives. as ‘red tape’ might be used by Europe’. Our pollution record was some as an excuse to strip away poor and our agricultural policy Furthermore, rather than the EU ‘Nature Directives’. Places was already damaging wildlife. being ‘gold-plated standards’ like Ashdown Forest, Rye Harbour holding back business, these and Chichester Harbour could Since joining the EU our have generally been positive to now be at risk from an aggressive environmental safeguards have our economy as well as to our deregulation agenda. Even if there become far better. By joining environment. is no direct intention to weaken we became part of a group of wildlife protection, environmental nations applying the same, high However, membership of the EU regulation is so tied up in its EU standards; this has been successful has not been entirely positive background that it could leave us 12 Local challenges

good as, or better than, what was farmers is increasingly difficult achieved in the EU. If democracy to justify against other priorities means anything then politicians for public funding. But paying should realise that they have a farmers for all the public benefits mandate – indeed a requirement – they provide – maintaining our to improve wildlife protection not landscape, protecting wildlife, weaken it. Those wishing to reduce managing flood water, conserving wildlife protection are in the small soils and delivering a healthy minority. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t environment for all to enjoy, as hurt to remind our politicians of well as producing food – is a far this! stronger argument for public investment. A recent report by the government’s Environmental It is not possible to have a rigid Audit Committee proposes a system of agricultural support that new Environmental Protection works as well for southern Italy as Act. We in the CPRE and the Sussex it does for northern Scotland. But Wildlife Trust should now lobby by working more locally we should for this to replace and improve the be able to develop approaches that safeguards lost when we leave are more relevant to real Sussex the EU. places. If we are able to focus on specific areas – the South Downs, Whilst reduction of safeguards is for example – then it should be a threat, a change to agricultural easier to see the benefits provided policy is an opportunity. and to agree ways of paying for them. Since the 1980s the Common Agricultural Policy has gradually Some benefits, food for instance, improved, and current agri- might be paid for through the environment schemes have market. Many public benefits, been helpful in supporting however, cannot just be bought or with a confused and weakened environmentally friendly sold. Water, pollination, landscape, situation while we try to sort out countryside management. Think health, recreation, wildlife or just the mess! A temporary weakening of the flower-rich grassland on the the chance to see a rare Adonis could leave plenty of opportunity South Downs, the purple heaths at blue butterfly or a diminutive fly for the less well intentioned to Midhurst and the wetlands in the orchid – these are all essential sweep-away perceived ‘constraints’. Arun valley – some of our most to our wellbeing and all great valued landscapes all maintained justifications to support a viable However, there is no mandate with the help of EU funding. and environmentally friendly to weaken wildlife protection. farming industry. Whichever way they voted in the Nevertheless, far more EU funding referendum, over 80% of those has driven agricultural practices We must, however, maintain asked in a recent poll wish to causing wildlife loss. This year a our commitment to the high see wildlife protection that is as State of Nature report showed that international standards that nearly 60% of species examined we expect of other nations. If “If democracy means are in decline. This is being driven we are no longer able to refer our anything then politicians not by farmers but by EU farming government to the European Court should realise that they policy. then there must be other ways have a mandate – indeed a of calling our government to requirement – to improve We must now take the opportunity account. Leaving the EU must wildlife protection not to develop more locally-relevant not be a return to being the ‘dirty weaken it.” ways of supporting agriculture. man of Europe’! Paying farmers simply to be 13 Ancient and defenceless

The Woodland Trust has been working to protect ancient woodlands since 1999 as Jenny Scholfield, the Trust’s regional manager for the South East, explains.

lance at the map of ancient woodland at a UK-wide scale, and a dense extensive shape of unique and irreplacable habitat looks back from the South East of England. This beautiful strong pattern is almost reminiscent of the murmurations of flocking birds at dusk, but is in fact the patterns of a more static member of the natural world – the tree – shaped by centuries of environmental and human interactions.’

The UK Ancient Woodland Inventory identifies over 22,000 ancient woodland sites in England which can be viewed on the Government’s MAGIC map website. The protected landscapes of the South Downs and New Forest National Parks, and the many Contains public sector information licensed under Areas of Outstanding Natural the Open Government License v3.0(c) Crown Beauty (AONBs) are the holding Copyright. All rights bays of this impressive extensive reserved. Map by Martin Hügi: Woodland Trust swathe of ancient woodland. Add Restoration project manager. the wooded landscapes of the Low and West Weald and you can take a virtual walk in this MAGIC 14 LocalLocal challengeschallenges

Ancient and defenceless

“Ancient woodland covers What is ancient woodland agriculture or industry. Many only two per cent of the and why is it important? species characteristic of ancient land area of the UK; the In England, Wales and Northern woodland are slow to disperse and county of has Ireland, ancient woodland is do not colonise new areas easily. an impressive 10.5 per cent defined as woodland that has Fragmentation of natural habitats cover.” existed continuously since 1600 in today’s landscape hampers (or 1750 in Scotland). Around this species’ natural movements map beginning at the New Forest time reliable maps began to be and interactions. Our remaining and emerging through a dark available, and 1600 pre-dates the ancient woodland is irreplaceable. continuous canopy somewhere time when tree planting became on the North Kent Downs. common. Some ancient woods Jewels in the crown of Sussex may even link back to original woodlands include Of course this is just a daydream woodland that covered the UK Common and KIngley Vale but nevertheless, whilst ancient around 10,000 years ago, after National Nature Reserves. woodland covers only two per the last Ice Age. Because they cent of the land area of the UK, have developed over such long Ebernoe Common – the county of West Sussex has an timescales, ancient woods have a beech forest and former wood- impressive 10.5 per cent cover. unique features such as relatively pasture with a very rich epiphytic The South Downs National Park is undisturbed soils and communities lichen flora. It’s designated as the most wooded national park in of plants and animals that depend a Special Area of Conservation England with around 10 per cent on the stable conditions ancient (under the European Habitats ancient woodland cover. Zoom in woodland provides, some of which Directive) and is an important from UK scale to county scale of are rare and vulnerable. location for bat species. Managed the Ancient Woodland Inventory, by Sussex Wildlife Trust. and what materialises are in Unlike existing ancient woodlands, fact hundreds of parcels of small woods planted or maturing will Kingley Vale – woods, typical of the existing not become ancient woods in an ancient yew forest and National resource in East and West Sussex. 400 years’ time because the soils Nature Reserve, on the South on which they have developed Downs a few miles northwest of have been modified by modern Chichester, managed by Natural 15 xxxx

England. The landscape is a legislation and therefore has “In spite of ancient mosaic of chalk grasslands, oak/ very little (sometimes no) real woodlands being such ash woodland and a yew tree grove protection from development or national treasures, this perhaps over 2,000 years old, inappropriate management that habitat is not protected creating an outdoor museum of might cause direct loss or damage in legislation”. the oldest living life forms in the to the woodland and the wildlife country. The place oozes wildlife, within it. The A21 to development and infrastructure, history (a Bronze Age burial mound widening is a case in alongside other tree felling and the and thirteen other scheduled point that many CPRE supporters latest annual figure of a meagre monuments) and legend. Why did may be familiar with, from early 700 hectares of tree planting these yew trees survive when so proposals of Highways England means that England could be many were felled centuries ago? to the ongoing construction entering a trend of deforestation, stage. Drivers using the A21 near losing trees faster than we are High Brede Forest – Tunbridge Wells can currently see planting them. Woodland Trust – managed, newly exposed woodland edges publicly accessible woodland near alongside the widened transport Real protection extends over and Battle, East Sussex. A mosaic of corridor under construction. above legislation (although that ancient and secondary woodland, Nine irreplaceable hectares of would help!). We need a shift in open heathland and acid grassland ancient woodland were lost to attitude towards these precious is located on the north-east shore the new scheme. habitats, especially a greater of Powdermill Reservoir in East understanding of their cultural Sussex, in the High Weald Area of The Woodland Trust does not value, and a stronger impetus to Outstanding Natural Beauty. It oppose sustainable transport protect them. has a rich history and a diverse but will speak out and object to range of wildlife. development where the balance sheet just isn’t adding up for these Protecting our woodlands special places where once the In spite of ancient woodlands woods have gone they’ve gone being such national treasures, forever. The chipping / chopping this habitat is not protected in away of ancient woodland to 16 Local challengesxxx

Clearance of ancient woodland for the A21 road corridor.

There are practical measures that will help too. If you would like to get more involved in protecting ancient woodland then here’s what you can do:

Go online Add your voice to the Tree Charter Take a look at the Woodland Trust’s Enough is Enough The Charter of the Forest was first issued in 1217 as pages on the Woodland Trust’s website a complementary charter to the Magna Carta. Now, www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/get-involved more than 50 organisations, including CPRE, from across multiple sectors are standing together to call Become a Woods Under Threat Detector for a Charter for Trees, Woods and People. We are The Woodland Trust has a team who respond to collecting stories about what trees and woods mean over 100 cases of threats to ancient woodland every to people, which will be used to create a set of guiding year. They aren’t able to check and respond to every principles for the charter. application from all the local planning authorities so a network of volunteer Threat Detectors help spot The Charter for Trees, Woods and People will such applications and put together a case to save be launched on November 6th 2017, the 800th the woodland. anniversary of the Charter of the Forest Charter. www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer- Add your voice at treecharter.uk/ with-us/opportunities/woods-under-threat-detector/ Reference Campaign locally 1. http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx As well as national campaigns against threats to ancient woodland, such as High Speed2, the Woodland Trust also directly campaigns at a local level. We can’t support every community campaign but we do provide broad advice and assistance for local campaigning. For example, we can help you make an objection to a planning application that is threatening trees or woods in your neighbourhood. www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/get-involved/campaign- with-us/ 17 xxxx Halt the plan to sell off our Downs

Phil Belden, who has been helping to protect the South Downs for over 30 years, makes an impassioned call for your support to prevent the sale of Eastbourne Downs.

he Eastbourne Downs thousands of people to enjoy this At this time there were no planning are a well-loved wonderful place. restrictions in the countryside and treasure. A million speculative development was rife. visitors come to Virtually all of the Brighton Downs, In the south, this was epitomised Beachy Head every year and many some 12,500 acres (5,000 hectares) by Peacehaven, a bungaloid of the 100,000 local residents is in public ownership. A jewel- intrusion that quickly sprawled regularly wander up from the town encrusted necklace draping itself four miles along and one mile deep to enjoy the view, take in the air, around the city from Shoreham to into the open Downs. It caused a exercise the dog or to get away Saltdean, it was acquired between huge reaction and was the catalyst from the everyday stress of the 1880s and the 1940s to protect for the formation of the Society of urban living. the drinking water supply, control Sussex Downsmen (now the South development, and provide Downs Society) and for our country This wonderful resource is owned a recreational resource. planning laws. CPRE and other by the people, held in trust by groups, with public subscription, the council, thanks to an Act of Prophetic words of the bought out property developers Parliament that “secures the free future King George VI at Crowlink, which is now safely and open use of the Downs in are etched into the protected by the National Trust. perpetuity”. commemorative seat at Devil’s Dyke “to the use East Dean jumped across the main Similar pictures emerge across the road and began its Downs invasion of the public for ever”. Downs, with local councils owning northwards and the town of significant areas of land. Further west, people can enjoy Eastbourne crept ever-westwards, open access from Worthing right until the 1926 Eastbourne In the 1970s East Sussex County up to the historic Corporation Act secured all the Council boldly stepped in to take iron-age hill-fort, all managed on borough downland into public over what is now Seven Sisters their behalf by Worthing council. ownership. All this protection and Country Park, transforming a access activism culminated, in degraded, run-down commercial The 1920s/30s were a time 1949, in the National Parks and caravan park into an iconic of active campaigning for Access to the Countryside Act. landscape, enabling hundreds of countryside protection and 18 access. Connecting with the Countryside

Plans to override in the 1980s the same political to influence the way our land is protection, buried in the administration invested much managed. As constituents we can minutes of committee time and energy in our Downs, engage with our councillors and meetings, have come to revitalising them and setting a officers to achieve commendable light in recent weeks. visionary future. conservation and public access gains. Unless there is a benign Local people have been finding This was in response to growing private owner, there can be no out about clandestine council concerns over our internationally assurances. plans to sell off their downland. It rare chalk grassland being never pays to be complacent with fragmented by poorly managed Designations, covenants and democracy; after years of trusting arable fields, gang-mowing and restrictions offer hope, but it is our councils to look after our land, coastal erosion. The council’s ownership that is key. There are they’re betraying us. Two councils positive response was reverting some depressing examples of the are in the news, Brighton & Hove arable to grassland and employing weakness of protective labels: and Eastbourne (the former trying downland rangers and shepherds to raise match-funding for a lottery with flocks to sympathetically • Laws ‘protect’ archaeology and bid and to put some cash back into manage the pastures. wildlife through, for example, depleted city hall coffers). This is Scheduled Ancient Monument and a sad indictment on our current If sold, this will be a Site of Special Scientific Interest councils that we expect to look colossal loss as the council (SSSI) status. These labels should after our precious land. Public is planning to dispose of have safeguarded Twyford Down outcry and local campaigning has 75% of the downland. east of Winchester, but both halted plans by ancient monument and SSSIs council to sell off its downland, for This represents the entire land- there were destroyed with the M3 the time being. holding between Beachy Head and road-cutting. Contrast that with Butts Brow open spaces (these, for Southwick Hill, Shoreham which is For Eastbourne, it is a short-term now, being retained – maybe until National Trust owned and which and rather desperate ‘family silver’ the next cash crisis). has no legal archaeology or wildlife sale, seeking to steal downland to designations. The hill remains, pay for urban regeneration. It’s Public ownership provides thanks to twin-tunnels bored under an abuse of public funds, and protection and the opportunity it for the A27 Brighton bypass. 19 xxxx

20 Connecting with the Countryside

• Covenants / restrictions Currently, most of the public land placed on land are fragile, often is mixed-farming arable and grass, Make your overturned and lost over time. In with small copses and public open voice heard! the early 1980s, Brighton council space. Intensification away from sold Mary Farm, initially to the traditional downland management Contact tenant, but he couldn’t afford practices could include: Councillor David Tutt, the mortgage repayments so the Leader, Eastbourne land ended up in the hands of • Arable prairies Borough Council, investment banks and pension 1 Grove Road, funds, which rented it to an • Horsey-culture with its fencing, Eastbourne intensive agri-businessman. He jumps and shelters plus risks BN21 4UG, ploughed up all the ‘permanent’ of over-grazing and sward- email chalk grassland and introduced a deterioration which is detrimental councillor.tutt@ commercial shoot that bulldozed to wildlife eastbourne.gov.uk the woodlands for game-rearing. • ‘Champagne country’ – grape- Write to your local • The new National Park should growing means high fences newspaper prevent intense built development, (to exclude deer), reliance on but much land management is chemical sprays and the plant and Sign the petition at outside the planning system, so equipment needed to process the https://actionnetwork. it is the action of the owner that product org/petitions/stop-the- determines what happens to the sell-off-of-eastbournes- landscape and associated cultural • Urban-fringe development public-downland heritage, wildlife, public access – this is a common problem; and more. some development has planning permission, some falls outside If Eastbourne council goes through its remit, some may be illegal or with the sale it has an obligation to resulting from neglect and abuse. offer the land first to the original owners, the Davis-Gilbert and Retaining public ownership Devonshire estates, responsible provides people with the ability to for much of the development in influence the public landowner, the town. After that it is the free- the council holding the land in market and highest bidder, so it is trust for its people. Our democratic highly unlikely a benign charity system enables us to talk to or, will be able to afford it and the if needed, put pressure on our tenant farmers would be hard- elected representatives and their pressed to find the big purchase officers. Look what we did in the sums needed. Selling the land to 1980s. Today, we need to rise up the highest bidder means it will and protest, to get the council to end up with purchasers looking for respect the wishes of its people. If a good return on their investment, they listen and act, and STOP the with likely re-development of sales, the downs will truely be ‘to the various properties, land- the use of the public forever’. intensification and ‘diversification’. 21 Planning for nature Help house sparrows!

Graham Ault asks for your help with the CPRE Sussex Biodiversity Group’s new project to bring back house sparrows.

embers of the Brighton and Hove Wildlife Forum have been concerned for some time by the decline in the numbers of the iconic house sparrow in their city. They want to explore the reasons for this decline and how they can help the birds to stabilise and, hopefully, increase in number in the future. CPRE Sussex is delighted to have become a partner in this excellent project.

Many of us think of house spaces. House sparrow habitat can our environment to give house sparrows as common chatty little be improved quite easily through sparrows a home. birds. It comes as a shock that more wildlife-friendly gardens, This project will run from Spring they are now categorised as ‘at suitable nesting sites (sparrows 2017 for the next two years. risk’. Indeed, research suggests need multiple sites as they are that house sparrows have declined social nesters), and better food Please fill in the questionnaire by more than 70% over a 30-year sources. enclosed and send it back to the period. It is most likely that this is office by the end of April. We would due to loss of habitat and nesting The involvement of CPRE Sussex love to get as many questionnaire sites, especially in urban areas. will enable our own members to responses as possible, even if you Many urban gardens now have few take part in similar work in towns have only very limited information. or no visiting sparrows. and villages across Sussex. This could include surveying areas to If you would like to get more The aims of the project are to find the status of house sparrows involved please let us know by carry out surveys around Brighton in your community and/or just phoning 01825 890975 or by and Hove to identify where house filling in a questionnaire about email: [email protected] sparrows are living successfully your experiences of this special and where they are absent to bird in your garden, local parks Please help us to protect identify the problems and possible and other places. We can give these great little birds, and to solutions. These may include you advice and support in doing demonstrate the commitment working with communities and this and, with help from enough of CPRE Sussex to planning for developers to improve all green volunteers, we can improve nature. 22 Standing up for the countryside Countryside hero stands up to developers Jane Watson reports on Twineham farmer, Robert Worsley who made national news when he turned down £275m to protect the Sussex countryside. He has has now taken things a step further by publicly challenging the developers for continuing to promote their proposal on his land.

Increasing concern about the erosion of the Sussex countryside and the many injustices of the present planning system was what led Robert Worsley to take action to stop development of his land two years ago.

For the past four years, the property company, Mayfield Sir Nicholas Soames and Market Towns (MMT) has been Robert Worsley at the promoting Robert’s farm as a ‘new Mid Sussex Plan Examination settlement’. Although MMT has never submitted a formal planning application, it has published maps “With respect to Mr Rhodes and other unwanted developments. of Robert’s land on its website his submission,” he said, “I know Henfield resident, Emma Osborne showing hundreds of acres of he says they’re not talking about summed up local feeling: his countryside which would be specific sites here, but I think obliterated by the proposal. every submission they have made “Brilliant,” she said. “Calmly has made it very clear where their and perfectly delivered without Robert has now responded by site is and where the epicentre exaggeration or deviation from the dealing the company a crushing of it is.” clear point. Thank you for all you’re blow – speaking at the Examination doing for this beautiful part of of Mid Sussex’s Local Plan last “As the landowner of the land in Sussex. We look after the land for month (January), he left the that area, I can confirm that the future generations as custodians government inspector, Jonathan land is not available – it doesn’t rather than owners. Robert has got Bore in no doubt of MMT’s have willing landowners there, it 100% right and is prepared to shortcomings. both in terms of my land and the stand up for what he believes in. It land belonging to all the farmers restores your faith, it really does.” Robert began by referring to and landowners around me.” paragraph 173 of the National Robert’s intervention was also Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) “I can confirm that it (Mayfields) is watched by Sir Nicholas Soames which states the need to establish not supported, it is not deliverable who had joined the Public that there is a willing landowner and frankly it’s a non starter from Examination for the morning. Sir before a site can be considered. any constraint point of view. It is Nicholas quickly sent out a flurry He then criticised MMT’s Planning the definition of ‘constrained’.” of supportive Tweets hashtaged: Advisor, John Rhodes for trying Robert’s actions have delighted to manipulate the examination local communities – many of #realherocountrysideowes process to promote his client’s site. which are feeling the effects of himhugedebt 23 Sussex Dates for your diary Countryside Awards If you’re interested in any of the following CPRE events please contact the office to book a place. Countryside Walks If you know a We welcome family groups (with pets on leads please) to our walks, led by project or enterprise experienced guides willing to share their knowledge of the countryside. Directions to the meeting point will that enriches our be sent with your tickets.Please come countryside enter suitably dressed with refreshments. Walk 1 June 3rd (Saturday) it in the Countryside 2pm - 5pm at Chailey The walk is approximately 4.5 miles and will take about 2.5 hours. Led by John Awards! Harmer of Sussex Ramblers Association. A lovely walk mainly over level fields and through woodland with short distances on minor roads passing several ancient buildings. Finishing at the Horns Lodge Inn, South Street, Chailey. Suggested donation: £5

Walk 2 September 9th (Saturday) Details to follow

Other Events Planning for Nature: wildlife & farming May 2nd (Tuesday) The awards are open to any project or enterprise, The Barn, Daylands Farm, Honeybridge large or small, completed between December 2010 Lane, Ashurst, Steyning, BN44 3AW and January 2017 in the following categories – A day spent focussing on wildlife habitat Rural Enterprise issues on a working farm to enable Environmental Education us to better challenge inappropriate development. New Sussex Landscapes Making Places Design Award Farmhouse Breakfast To enter and for more information February 13th (Monday) see the enclosed leaflet or go to the CPRE Sussex 9:00am -1:30pm at Hellingly Village website bit.ly/SussexCountryside Hall, North Street,Hellingly, BN27 4DS and complete an online application Suggested donation: £10, under 14s: £5 For more information contact: or phone 01825 890975 for an application pack Gill & Bryan Hesselgrave: 01323 844613 The closing date for entries is 31st March 2017 [email protected] The Awards Ceremony will be held at Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution Petworth House on 11th October 2017 Supporting Farming Families Charity no 208858

Show your support for the projects that make Sussex great – sponsor an award! For more details go to http://bit.ly/SussexCountryside or 24email [email protected]