spring 2016 Sussex Promoting & Protecting your Countryside SUSSEX REVIEW

Focus on Farming Defenders of the Brexit – what would it mean for farmers? Proposed changes to the NPPF

Contents Welcome to the Spring Review 3 Welcome President Mid Sussex run or ride especially on the edge of towns, so valued 4 News Update Lord Egremont Michael Brown but lacking any designated planning protection, are Vice Presidents [email protected] what we will have to fight hard for now and in the 6 Brexit – should we Margaret Moore Rother & immediate future. or shouldn’t we? Gerald Summerfield Stephen Hardy 7 Campaigns Trustees: [email protected] There seems to be a growing disconnection with Chairman: David Johnson Wealden nature and an increasing lack of understanding of the 8 NPPF, what’s new? Treasurer: Richard Shirley (South) John Hurwood value of the working countryside as decisions about 10 The impact of Gatwick 2 Rodney Chambers, Stephen Hardy, [email protected] the future of Sussex are being made by those living on local travel Julian Hill, Penelope Hudd, John (North) Lesley Wilson in towns and cities, removed from the realities of 12 Clean energy Kay, Sally Pavey, Dr Roger Smith (Branch Office) country life. – or murky waters? David Willingham [email protected] Staff We live our lives making trade offs between scarce 14 Defenders of the Weald Branch Administrator: Orchestrator: Penny Hudd resources; today even solitude, beauty, and 16 Challenges facing our local Lesley Wilson Editor: Judith Chamberlain tranquility are ascribed monetary values. There is a farmers Office Administrator Design & Production: very real danger as city dwellers lose their emotional (Accounts): Emily Wilkinson, 07801 453 9453 connection to the countryside and have little Farming in the Weald 18 Sas Drury [email protected] understanding of its true value, the more it becomes 20 Dates for your diary Printing: One Digital This year we are celebrating 90 years something developers are free to plunder. LOCAL GROUPS 01273 887575 of promoting and protecting the Sussex CPRE Sussex Adur & Worthing Photography: countryside! The government, and its agencies, seem less and less Countryside Trust Bill Freeman Cover:xxxx keen to add to the number of sites with any protection Brownings Farm, Blackboys, [email protected] For almost a century CPRE has been active in against development – its mantra, of ‘housing, , , TN22 5HG David Johnson campaigning for democratic and appropriate housing, housing,’ has dramatically increased the Phone: 01825 890975 davidjohnsonsurething1@yahoo. planning decisions, for National Parks and for the vital vulnerability of the countryside to despoliation. Email: [email protected] co.uk protection of our countryside with continued success. Visit us at: Arun Everyday countryside, greatly valued by local www.cpresussex.org.uk Martin Beaton To all our members, a huge thank you for your communities, will be lost to development supposedly [email protected] continued support. With you behind us and with our for society at large, despite the government’s Follow us on Twitter: & Hove splendid new Director, Kia, we are all looking forward push for ‘localism’ and the bandying of words like Follow us on Facebook: Andrew Wright to another active and successful year. sustainability and affordability, Registered Charity number: [email protected] 1156568 Corinne Attwood The welcome surfeit of early spring flowers has led to With no agreed national or regional planning for Published by corinne.attwood@ increasing public discussion about global warming the public to scrutinise, the continuous demand for CPRE Sussex Countryside Trust brightonbeautiful.com and record rainfall makes us question the sense of development of the economy, for jobs and housing The Campaign to Protect Rural Chichester South building where there is flood risk. Increasingly non- dominates. The city demands, the countryside obeys England: Sussex Branch CIO Richard Hill experts are talking about naturul ways to manage – and slowly disappears. [email protected] heavy rainfall. For example at Alfriston, the impact We exist to promote the beauty, and viability of reintroducing meanders to the To protect our precious heritage and hand it on to tranquillity and diversity of our National Park (Chichester North) Cuckmere River to better mitigate run-off is being future generations, we as country lovers need to be countryside by encouraging Alan Smith considered. Academic research and country people’s as active as we can. Convincing others, young and the sustainable use of land and [email protected] expertise are coming together as we saw at the recent old of the inestimable value of the countryside, for natural resources in town and Sarah Dobson Review Cover and Photographs: CPRE Sussex ‘Making Places’ workshop in Barnham. everything from tranquility, clean air and leisure to country. [email protected] Pages xxx by kind permission food production is vital. The more people who care of Peter & Morgan Greenhalf, The jewels of the Sussex landscape – the Downs, about it the safer from despoliation the countryside The opinions expressed in the Horsham & Crawley Dr Roger Smith The Avocet Gallery the coast and Cuckmere Haven – are familiar to all will be. So, if you’re not already a member, please Review reflect the views and [email protected] and Tea Rooms, Rye Harbour. through souvenirs but sadly much of our countryside, join us and get your friends to join us too and help us interests of individual contributors avocetgalleryandtea.co.uk although very beautiful and often species rich, is seen celebrate. and do not necessarily reflect Prof Edmund Critchley only as an opportunity for development. Those fields, those of the Branch. [email protected] wildernesses and woods where we walk, take our dogs, David Johnson, Chairman 2 3 Kia Trainor

A big thank you to everyone sharpened up our work protecting who attended our strategy the countryside! planning event in Billingshurst last Autumn and shared their We have now drawn up a detailed thoughts on how we can be more plan of what we are going to do effective as a charity and what this year and put it on our website issues we should focus on for the www.cpresussex.org.uk. News Update next three years. It has already A summary follows: from Kia Trainor: Director CPRE Sussex Staying ahead: planning for tomorrow The A27 A summary Continue our planning work and Raise awareness of biodiversity eing able to travel around Chichester Arundel and Worthing fight• for the ‘right development in loss• through the planning system Sussex easily is very Highways England has now Highways England is also currently the right places’ across Sussex. and encourage measures to tackle important – nobody likes announced that they are delaying reviewing options for the A27 at this through our new biodiversity being snarled up in traffic jams. consultation on improvements Arundel and Worthing/Lancing, Campaign against inflated group (see page 19). In rural areas public transport to the A27 at Chichester until with the aim of consulting on housing• targets, locally and options are often limited and the summer of 2016. This delay these sections in the spring nationally, within local plans which Begin a programme of underinvestment in our rail is causing a great deal of local of 2017. The greatest cause of are based on ‘ambition’ rather than engagement• with young people in infrastructure over many years has frustration. However, one piece current concern is the option of local need. terms of valuing the countryside. led to slow east/west connections of good news in the recent a new bypass at Arundel, which and crowded commuter lines to announcement is that the option would cause severe harm to the Continue to campaign against Carry out the ‘Making Places’ London. of a second bypass to the north of meadows, the forests and the airport• expansion and a second project• to create locally influenced Chichester has been dropped. villages to the South of Arundel. runway at Gatwick (see article design guides to promote So what is the solution? Is it a CPRE Sussex supports the Arundel page 14). attractive, sympathetic and high-level strategy to ensure that Building a northern bypass at Neighbourhood Bypass Committee sustainable development, where it a broad range of future-proofed Chichester would have had serious (ABNC) and Arundel SCATE (South Campaign for junction is needed within Sussex travel infrastructure investments implications for the Coast Alliance for Transport and improvements• on the A27 and (see page 19). is made – aligned to growth and National Park and Goodwood the Environment) – local groups travel solutions which really do appropriate development? Or is Estate. It was not clear if a second campaigning for improvements benefit local people and protect Oppose fracking in our it a piecemeal package of road bypass really would have reduced to the A27 and wider transport our precious landscapes. countryside.• building/expansion projects? congestion on the existing road, infrastructure which will benefit although it would certainly have local people and people traveling Would you like to help? Highways England, the diverted money for improvements. around Sussex, without undue organisation responsible for damage to the landscape and Our membership is key to If your business would like to get the UK’s major roadbuilding heritage of Arundel. everything. Collectively we have involved by becoming a corporate programme, thinks that more the power to make our voice partner, a corporate member or a roads are the answer. CPRE Sussex heard by decision makers and to supporter we would like to hear and other concerned organisations Can you help? affect the future for Sussex. from you. Kia and Lorna Train have been involved in a number of consultations and stakeholder Local campaign groups We urge members to review the We really need to increase our In 2016 we will also be reviewing meetings with them. These Chichester Deserves Better www. information provided as part of membership and encourage more new sources of fundraising – so meetings have been limited in chichesterdeservesbetter.co.uk the consultation by Highways volunteers in areas where there if you have any ideas for new scope and designed to consider England and take part in the are significant threats. opportunities do let Lesley Wilson options for road expansion at Arundel Bypass Neighbourhood consultation: www.gov.uk/ at the CPRE Sussex office know: four ‘pinch points’ along the A27: Committee: http://www. government/organisations/ [email protected]. Chichester, Arundel, Worthing and arundelbypass.co.uk highways-england uk Lewes/Polegate. Tel: 01825 890 975 4 5 Alan Smith, Chichester North News Campaigns

Planning for nature Join our new Biodiversity Group!

CPRE Sussex plans to launch a and an assessment carried out. Sussex-wide biodiversity group in Although many of our designated the spring with the aim of putting sites, such as the National Park, the value of nature at the heart of are afforded greater protection in Brexit – should we planning decision making. terms of conserving landscapes and scenic beauty, many, many Many planning applications don’t beautiful areas, rich in wildlife adequately assess the impacts remain at risk across Sussex and or shouldn’t we? of development on local wildlife, urgently need our support to or they propose inadequate protect them. ‘mitigation’ measures that don’t Andy Boddington, long-time CPRE supporter, writer and researcher looks protect all the species identified To get involved or for more at the pros and cons for farming and the countryside. at the site. information about the group contact the CPRE Sussex Office, he debate on whether we After a Brexit, farmers will still including the air we breathe, the Even worse, some sites are cleared Tel: 01825890975, email should leave the European need to comply with a wide range seas we fish in, and have protected before an application is submitted [email protected] Union – take a Brexit – of European laws if they want the wildlife which crosses national rages on. to trade with the remaining 27 boundaries.” European states. If Britain wants Making Places Farming barely gets a look in amid greater independence from rules The gritty reality of politics is that CPRE Sussex: Supporting good design across Sussex the arguments over sovereignty of the single European market, our farming and the environment and migration. Few people are farmers could end up paying tariffs are likely to count for little in the We have joined forces with Action for rural communities. The talking about environmental to sell in the EU. To do so, they referendum on a Brexit. But we in Rural Sussex to challenge workshop was well attended with protection, so much of which is will have to be more competitive know that the environment doesn’t ‘developer mediocrity’ and representatives from Tangmere, legislated by the EU. Yet it is clear than producers on the European understand borders or trade encourage higher quality building Boxgrove, Aldingbourne and that farmers, our landscape and continent. This will often be hard agreements. We know we are not design that makes a positive Angmering, all under pressure from the environment face uncertainty to deliver in the heavily protected self-sufficient in food. We can’t contribution to rural towns and massive proposed development. if a Brexit goes ahead. landscapes of England. even pick and process many of our villages. Our new campaign, crops without the aid of migrant Making Places, aims to put the The session used a mixture of If we leave the EU, farmers’ eyes Much of our landscape protection labour from Europe. unique character of rural Sussex at techniques, from mapmaking will be on the government’s plans comes from EU environmental the heart of local planning. and photography to discussion for replacing the single farm agreements. CAP regulations We must protect our countryside and drawing, to establish what payments they receive under the also demand that farmers work from an unregulated free for all. Many of us are all too aware of good design really means to those in Sussex, and a large part of this is Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). to improve our environment and This means we must ensure the the uniformity of so many new living in those communities. The good design.” This makes up as much as half protect our countryside. voice of the countryside is heard housing developments. With this participants found the workshop the income for many farms across during the referendum campaign. campaign we have two aims: to “very informative” saying, “It has Informed by this grass roots opinion, the country. CAP supplies some In a letter sent to Defra secretary help local communities influence really helped us see what is good we plan to develop a ‘Making stability for farmers who face a Liz Truss in January, environmental “We must ensure the voice design in the countryside, and also about the village and what perhaps Places Charter’ to encapsulate the maelstrom of price fluctuations on scientists warned that a Brexit of the countryside is heard to persuade developers to improve needs improving”. principles of good design for rural milk and crops exacerbated by the could lead to a very sharp decline during the referendum the design of their projects and areas, and to encourage planners uncertainties of Britain’s weather. in protection for habitats and campaign.” support local character. Chairman, David Johnson reflected and developers to protect and Will our Westminster government species: “Being part of the Union on the success of the first nurture the distinctive character of provide an equivalent subsidy of has enabled us to co-ordinate The initiative was launched in workshop, saying, “We join many rural Sussex. The second workshop nearly £3 billion a year to farmers? action and agree policies that Barnham on Saturday, 30 January, others in wanting to see the right will take place in East Sussex in We simply do not know. have improved our quality of life, with the first of two workshops development in the right places March (see page 20 for details).

6 For more information contact: Justin French-Brooks email: [email protected] tel: 07931 2472347 Challenges Closer to home in Sussex, brownfield sites large and Concern over NPPF changes small, continue to languish undeveloped, despite planning John Kay, Trustee and key member of our Protect Sussex Group and permission. A large site around Trustee Roger Smith, PSG Chairman, outline the government’s proposed Newhaven Marina fell, due to the poor commercial decisions of a changes to the National Planning Policy Framework. previous developer, into the hands of the bank RBS. RBS decided, in ecently the Department However, the approach being organisations whose prime duty the interests of its shareholders for Communities and considered to achieve the last is to maximise their shareholders’ (mainly the government), to bank Local Government held objective, in terms of ‘allocated profits. Profits depend on the the land for a few years until its a consultation on their proposed sites’ for development, has so far scarcity value of the housing built value rose. A large brownfield site amendments to the National attracted less attention than it – oversupplying the market leads in Lewes, a popular commuter Planning Policy Framework, deserves. The big idea is that in to the disasters we saw a decade town with an over-heated property the Government’s main policy areas where a planning authority ago in Ireland and Spain. market and a vast unmet need for document for planning. fails to deliver enough new house affordable housing, may at last The consultation covered a wide building to match its planned If the government really wants be on the point of development, range of topics and in many trajectory, it should be required to deliver the housing targets but it has taken over a decade to respects overlapped with the to identify and release additional it proclaims, it is more house- reach this point, and no houses provisions of the new Housing and sites until the trajectory is building activity that is needed, are likely for 2016. Similar stories Planning Bill currently making its achieved. not more planning permissions. affect several other large urban way through Parliament. Current policies have uplifted brownfield sites across Sussex. This bright idea doubtless planning permissions over the past The proposed National Planning originated in the fertile minds of two years. Actual housing starts It isn’t only large urban sites that Policy Framework changes the lobbyists for the Strategic Land are currently falling. have this problem. For example, include: industry, whose profits come from two late Georgian cottages along Broadening the definition gaining planning permissions for “This bright idea doubtless a lovely country lane have been of• affordable housing to include unsustainable greenfield sites. originated in the fertile kept empty by a local farmer discounted sales to first time minds of the lobbyists since the 1980s, despite planning buyers and the encouragement This proposal is a perfect example for the Strategic Land permission for replacements and of ‘starter homes’ in both urban of the government, influenced by industry, whose profits dozens of enthusiasts seeking to and rural areas. self-interested lobbyists, taking come from gaining buy them for renovation. Leaving • Increasing development careful aim at exactly the wrong planning permissions for them derelict has proved an density around ‘commuter hubs’. target. unsustainable greenfield excellent financial decision – the As currently defined, a rural sites.” site value has soared. railway station served by a weekly If the Strategic Land industry bus, or even a pavement, might gets its way the outcome will Given a free choice, mass-market This is the target the government qualify. be the exact opposite of the house builders will always prefer must get in its sights if it Promoting the creation of government’s declared aim – more the simplicity of greenfield sites really wants to get brownfield ‘sustainable• new settlements’ new greenfield development while over the risks and uncertainties development moving. There is in the countryside. sustainable urban brownfield of brownfield. As one real-life nothing a planning authority can • Supporting development on remains derelict, and developer-led example, the brownfield-specialist do to ensure delivery. Developers “If the government really wants brownfield sites and other small rather than plan-led planning. house builder Gleeson Homes and owners need incentivising by to deliver the housing targets sites, defined as up to 10 units. announced in its 2015 annual a healthy mix of carrot and stick. it proclaims, it is more house- Driving through delivery of Local planning authorities have report a modest increase in its housing• on sites allocated in the duty to allocate enough sites housing delivery to 750 units. It We also need a house-building building activity that is needed, local and neighbourhood plans. via local and neighbourhood also reported a land bank of sites industry with adequate capacity not more planning permissions.” plans to meet the housing needs with planning permission of ten and a stable economic climate There are some changes here of their area. It is then up to the times that number – a decade’s that ensures confidence there will that CPRE would support, such as house-building industry to build supply. Such a land bank is an be willing and able buyers for all brownfield registers, and others the houses. However, delivery asset only if plot values continue the houses built. that might become acceptable delays are inevitable when this is to soar. with suitable amendment. left exclusively to private sector We can dream! 8 Local challenges

Furthermore Gatwick airport has to significant congestion and flag a very serious capacity issue estimated that freight will increase standing on trains. In fact even if and what will amount to a totally by 1000% but not planned how it awarded to the airport, the new appalling service for passengers. will get to and from Gatwick. This runway would not be operational all means major issues for the before 2025. Many people who Some, like Brighton and Hove residents of Sussex and Surrey and board the train to London at council are placing great hope on its rural landscape. Brighton at peak hours will have making good an old route that to stand all the way and the goes via East Grinstead, but this The recent National Rail Sussex same would apply on their return will be like a ‘slow boat to China’ Route Study of 2015 (SRS) was not journeys. and so is not expected to take the a happy read for anyone that uses “By 2018, with or without major burden of huge increases in the line. By 2043, it foresees an a new runway, the SRS passengers away from the main The impact enormous increase in passenger line to London. states that Gatwick numbers on the Brighton mainline by 115% for those travelling to passengers will be subject All of this says Sally “is without of Gatwick 2 London Bridge and 34% to Victoria to significant congestion adding the increase in housing (SRS Exec. sum p.9). This is on top and standing on trains.” deemed necessary for Gatwick of an increase of 65% in passenger With a second runway, 2, some 40-45,000 new homes on local travel numbers since 2003. supposing there would be 70 which are to be spread across the million (currently 40 million) air counties. This increase in housing Even after completion of the passengers annually through brings with it families all looking Sally Pavey, CPRE Sussex Trustee and Chair Thameslink improvement, the SRS LGW with about 50% using public to use the railway, local roads and of CAGNE (Communities Against Gatwick states there will be unacceptable transport, an average of about the M23, all adding significantly standing from as far out as 2,750 passengers would be added to what we anticipate will be Noise and Emissions) explores the impact Haywards Heath and by 2024 to this picture each hour. intolerable levels of congestion of a second runway on an already strained serious capacity problems overall. and pollution for everyone living in transport system. By 2018, with or without a new Together these figures at best the area.” runway, the SRS states that paint a picture of a rail line at the ccording to , 51,000 people travel from Sussex Gatwick passengers will be subject edge of its tolerance. At worst they commuter towns to London every single day using the Brighton mainline – one of the worst lines in the country. How can you get involved? “By 2043, (National Rail Gatwick Airport estimates that the number of passengers arriving at the Sussex Route Study) airport by rail will almost treble with a second runway. That means less Find out more at www.cagne.org Write to your local MP to express your concerns foresees an enormous space and more delays for commuters, with an anticipated 90,000 extra passengers on the network daily. Write to David Cameron – object to the second Join the CAGNE mailing list increase in passenger runway at Gatwick for the above reasons – – www.cagne.org – and stay informed numbers on the Brighton Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Prime Minister, Has any authority truly examined how Gatwick expansion will affect Follow CAGNE on twitter @cagne_gatwick mainline by 115% for those the daily rail journeys of residents? Or considered what 40,000 extra 10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA travelling to London Bridge daily car journeys on the M23 will mean to a road that will be full, even Email via www.number10.gov.uk Like CAGNE at www.facebook.com/gatwickcagne and 34% to Victoria.” using the hard shoulder, before Gatwick is finished? Or decided that Write to the Leader of West Sussex and East Support CPRE Sussex stance that there is no need major motorways across the countryside will have to be built? One Sussex Council and object to Gatwick Airport for any new runways in the southeast and join us London Major candidate, Sadiq Khan, wishes to place a brand new rail expansion – [email protected] on twitter @cpresussex and facebook link, , through Sussex and Surrey countryside costing London and [email protected] accordingly taxpayers £5bn, are local residents aware of this?

Page reference from South East Route: Sussex Area Route Study September 2015 http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/strategicbusinessplan/cp5/supporting%20documents/ our%20activity%20and%20expenditure%20plans/route%20plans/sussex%20route%20plan.pdf 10 11 Challenges xxx

Clean energy – or murky waters? Michael Brown, CPRE Sussex volunteer, believes a long-term energy strategy is the only way forward.

ur Sussex countryside iron. And now, in the 21st century, fuels; brownfield sites; rooftop solar has involved changing industry is looking at Sussex’s panels; community sponsored and managed landscapes countryside for the potential of schemes; sensitivity to landscape ever since our first settlers carved oil locked in shale layers a mile or and biodiversity. But unfortunately Government support for renewables why that need justifies overriding “We are being asked to homesteads and fields out of the more beneath the Weald, and as our likes and dislikes do not always constantly flip-flops, for example, environmental and climate change take balancing judgements dominant Wealden woodland. potential sites for solar arrays and accord with the (broadly pro- witness its change of attitude to concerns. between social and From medieval times until the late wind turbines. development) rules that determine onshore wind farms and sudden environmental imperatives 1700s, exploitation of the area’s “CPRE, as an environmental energy planning decisions. withdrawal of Government subsidies Our precious Sussex countryside in a policy vacuum.” accessible ironstone resources for solar schemes. One sad must continue to adapt to human charity focussed on turned the Weald into the country’s If only one could say that these consequence of this was the last needs, as it always has. But what armaments and industrial the sustainability and tricky planning decisions are at minute collapse of a community is woefully lacking in the planning heartland. appearance of our least being taken in line with a solar scheme being promoted by process is the context of an landscapes and rural clear long-term, politically agreed, Balcombe residents for which they underlying transparent, long-term, The greatest changes of all have areas, faces a challenge publicly accepted energy strategy had planning permission. consistent energy strategy focussed occurred since the Second World when considering new to meet growing energy demands on reducing energy demand and on War: a result of long-sighted rural energy infrastructure and carbon reduction at affordable “CPRE looks at the the delivery of the promised switch policies devised to meet fast- proposals.” cost. But that is not so. Energy individual merits of each to affordable renewable energy changing social needs for new policies come and go along with renewable energy source: sources. Meanwhile the planning homes and jobs, an explosion CPRE, as an environmental charity ministers and governments. Big type, scale, location and the powerbrokers lack sensitivity to of economic prosperity and of focussed on the sustainability decisions are deferred to the point availability (or otherwise) the on-the-ground consequences population growth, and changing and appearance of our landscapes where we face a serious shortage in of alternatives are the of planning decisions on our farming practices. One wonderful and rural areas, faces a challenge generating capacity. crucial considerations.” countryside and wildlife in all legacy of the post-war changes has when considering new rural energy its diversity. We are being asked been the creation of our country’s infrastructure proposals. It has to The challenges of making nuclear Or, they give us the good news to take balancing judgements National Parks and AONBs. balance social imperatives and the energy work, of supporting a switch that coal-fired power stations are between social and environmental push for clean energy sources with to renewable energy sources – to be phased out but in the next imperatives in a policy vacuum. Changes in our landscape have the visual and other environmental which will require the oil industry to breath we are told that they want always been driven as much by impacts of wind farm, solar and accept that available reserves will to encourage development of shale Expect Sussex’s countryside to commercial forces as by social other renewable energy schemes. have to be left unexploited – and oil reserves below the Wealden face continuing pressure as a ones. We require our countryside Further change to our countryside to do this affordably to consumers, basin. If needs be this will be done commercial resource required to to be not only beautiful but also to deliver renewable energy is has made cowards of successive using fracking techniques outside deliver our energy needs in one useful and profitable. We even inevitable. Governments. They, and we, don’t and possibly underneath the way or another for many decades measure the value we place on it know the road that they are driving South Downs National Park and to come. And expect CPRE to be in terms of the monetary return it Which leaves CPRE looking at the us along. The environmental lobby High Weald AONB, despite shale engaged there on the battle lines makes from the people who visit it. individual merits of each: type, will not start to breathe easier until oil being a CO2-emitting fossil fuel challenging the authorities on the scale, location and the availability innovation reduces the commercial and despite genuinely serious most sensitive and sustainable way And it has always been a resource (or otherwise) of alternatives are price of renewable energy below associated environmental problems. to do so. exploited to meet our energy the crucial considerations. We have that of fossil fuels. And, arrogantly, the Government needs: in the past its wood and its our likes: renewables over fossil has not even bothered to tell us 12 13 Connecting with the countryside Defenders of the Weald Jane Watson talks to Low Weald farmers about development threats to their land.

For centuries the people of Sussex have prided themselves on their wo hundred years ago ability to stand up for what they the artist John Constable believe in. The old proverbial stood on Devil’s Dyke and saying, ‘Sussex Wunt be Druv’ is famously described the view as know of any locals, farmers or “I was very heartened to hear that thought to have originated in the ‘the grandest in the world’. He was otherwise, who support these I am very much not alone,” he Weald, where in the Middle Ages looking down at the Sussex Weald a speculative company named people.” says. “I had a horrible feeling that people had more freedoms than in – the vast tapestry of lush green Mayfield Market Towns. Together I would be completely surrounded the rest of the county. countryside which so typically they have pledged to protect more “The Weald has always This is a view shared by Gaye Allen, if I didn’t capitulate, so I am a lot defines the character of Sussex. than 4,000 acres of rural Sussex. had its own character and who co-owns a 480-acre arable happier now knowing that I am “For centuries the people sense of place alongside farm in Blackstone. The Allen among friends.” of Sussex have prided Today the same view is seen by “The Weald has always had its the South Downs. It is a family has been farming in Sussex themselves on their ability some as nothing more than an own character and sense of place living thing which should for five generations and Gaye Talking to Robert, it is clear that he to stand up for what they expanse of easy money – a blank alongside the South Downs,” says be valued and cherished believes that the rural character of is not simply a man of principle, believe in.” canvas ripe for vast urban sprawl. Pauline McBride who owns the forever.” the Weald should be preserved at but a man who carries his passion 32-acre Sussex Prairie Garden near all costs. for the countryside in his DNA. This spirit of determination is However, to the astonishment Henfield. “It is a living thing which the River Adur. This ancient 200- characteristic of the area. ‘Ponies- of prospective developers, the should be valued and cherished acre holding is mentioned in the “I personally would never, ever “It’s not just this bit of land I feel n-Kids’ is a thriving family-run principled people who own this forever.” Domesday Book and is a sanctuary dream of selling,” she says. “It so strongly about,” he says. “A riding school at the epicentre land have been turning down eye- for nightingales, kingfishers, rare would never cross my mind. Most part of me dies every time I hear of Mayfield Market Towns’ watering sums of money – and in Pauline’s family ran a small beef geese and even, on occasion, a people who live here are very of another large development, aspirations. It is owned by the doing so have become the heroes farm before she and her husband, passing osprey. proud of their village and they particularly in the South of Langhornes, a principled, warm- of rural Sussex. Paul transformed it to create an feel committed to it. They have England because I feel we’re the hearted local family who are not award-winning garden. “The idea that you could build here chosen to live somewhere with no most pressured and threatened interested in doing deals with “The principled people who is ridiculous,” says Veronica. “It is amenities and they’ve chosen to part of the country. developers. own this land have been “Farming strategies and techniques such a beautiful part of Sussex and do so for obvious reasons – they turning down eye-watering have had to evolve over time to I don’t think they understand how have come here for the beautiful “I don’t know why I care so much “They would be destroying sums of money – and in give farmers, the guardians of the much it floods – when I mentioned countryside, tranquility and about the whole greater picture. something very special,” says doing so have become the countryside, an economic living,” this to the developers they wildlife. It would be a travesty to I see a loss of countryside – an Lucinda Langhorne. “Why should heroes of rural Sussex.” she says. “None of us want to see discarded it as an irrelevance. destroy it.” irreversible creeping demise of people be denied that just because a sterile and lifeless countryside open green spaces. Even if I hear of someone’s greed?” Twineham farmer, Robert Worsley and it is the reason that Paul and I “It is very important that The growing size of this army of it in the news and it is 50 or 100 made national news when he created our garden.” land owners stand up for our countryside heroes has delighted miles away I feel saddened by it. rejected a nine-figure offer for outstanding local environment. Robert Worsley who says he I’m not sure why I feel as strongly pics from left to right: robert his 550 acres. But he is not alone. Veronica Brookes and her husband These developers are being was initially worried that his as I do, perhaps just because it’s worsley, paul and pauline mcbride, Hundreds of landowners large and Tony live a few miles north at completely irresponsible – their neighbouring landowners may be woven into me having lived in the veronica brookes, lucinda langhorne small have joined his stand against Sakeham Farm on the banks of sole motivation is money. I don’t more easily bought. countryside all my life.” and her mother, nan langhorne. 14 15 www.cpresussex.org.uk Connecting with the countryside

Challenges facing our local farmers Louise Schweitzer talks to farmers around Sussex about the issues they are facing. She lives in Hove and is both a country lover and local writer.

ussex countryside wouldn’t look like the One of the most cited difficulties now is red tape. countryside we know and love without farmers Increasing bureaucracy affects all sectors of society, and farming. It is characterised by rolling often crippling those institutions it was designed to downlands short-cropped by sheep, the flat wet assist. Robbie Miles at Rickney Farm, Westham, didn’t grasslands of the Pevensey levels grazed by fat cattle, have an hour to spare running his organic mixed grass and by blazing yellow fields of oilseed rape or cloudy and livestock farm 20 years ago. “I’m still flat out, blue linseed, encircled with hawthorn-laid hedges, only now I’ve got to find time for the paperwork too. “Diversification into vineyards, small trimmed blackthorn and hand-scoured ditches. It’s harder and harder to understand it, remember zoos, museum farms and farm tourism to do it, and then do it properly. Complicated laws monoculture requires larger fields and increasing offer imaginative new ways of using land Farming is more than a career, a profession or even relating to single farm payments and EU decisions mechanisation leading to risk of erosion and poor soil and raising extra income.” more than a family business. It is a way of life. from Brussels make breaking the law all too easy.” quality, especially on the steeper downland slopes. It binds rural communities in shared values and Farming, like everything else, changes. experience. It connects us to nature – increasingly “Since the loss of the Milk Marketing Rules designed to protect the countryside don’t Diversification into vineyards, small zoos, museum important in our mechanical lives. And it is a Board, it’s been a free for all. Milk has always help the farmer in Sussex. AONB, the triple SI farms and farm tourism offer imaginative new ways significant employer: England has half a million become a loss leader for the supermarkets. and The South Downs National Park safeguard against of using land and raising extra income. The Pevensey registered rural businesses with a turnover of more You can’t put prices up…” development but pose problems of access and public Levels is a designated Ramsar site – a convention set than £369 billion – farming and food sectors employ sensitivity to agricultural change. up for the conservation and sustainable utilization over three and a half million people. Sussex has over Martin Hole who farms Montague, a large beef and “Perhaps the most ominous threat to of wetlands – and something Martin Hole has turned 245,000 hectares of agricultural land. sheep holding near Pevensey, believes that political Sussex farming is bovine TB. Every farmer to good use with duck vehicle tours for interested shenanigans between London and Brussels have visitors. interviewed put it top of the list.” But there are challenges to Sussex farmers, which made the delivery of farming quotas and subsidies so pose serious threats to their continuing stewardship extraordinarily complex and difficult that much of the But perhaps the most ominous threat to Sussex Coombes Farm near Shoreham runs Lamb Experience of the countryside. These relate to situations original purpose is defeated. farming is bovine TB. Every farmer interviewed put it days, offering the chance to visit new-born calves undreamt of by the ‘Min. of Ag. bit’ used by The top of the list. It is rife in the county – and perhaps and lambs and Birling Gap Sheep Centre, Eastbourne, Archers to broadcast useful tips for farmers and Dairy farmers wrestle with cheap imports from abroad. nationwide. Robbie Miles describes how testing for TB cares for dozens of different breeds. smallholders in post-war rationing. Between 1960 and 1990, Sussex lost over 1,500 dairy used to happen every four years and now it’s annual. units and 30,000 hectares of temporary grassland. Ed Nothing seems to halt the ravages of this terrible As Ed Gribble puts it: “I’d hate to turn the South Gribble who runs a large-scale unit at the foot of the disease which passes between wild animals, such Downs into a museum. We need people to live and South Downs near Lewes would like a fairer share of as badgers, deer and seals, and domestic livestock. work here, we must help develop affordable housing the market and a fairer price. “Since the loss of the Trial vaccination has been partially effective, but in local villages and build barns for livestock.” Milk Marketing Board, it’s been a free for all. Milk has successful inoculation appears to be always five years become a loss leader for the supermarkets. You can’t distant. Bovine TB along with BSE and outbreaks of And to do this our farmers need support: a vital role put prices up, although Morrisons did put 10p on a foot and mouth may be one reason for the gradual for CPRE Sussex and its members. pint specifically to help British dairy farmers”. The decline in Sussex livestock farming: another is the decline in Sussex dairy farms has implications beyond loss of abbatoirs, slaughterhouses and cattle markets. With grateful thanks to Robbie Miles, Rickney Farm; the price of milk. Permanent pasture is ploughed up Often in central urban positions, many of these Ed Gribble at Cobbe Place Farm, Beddingham and and there is a reduction in the grass leys of arable occupied land now sold off for development. Martin Hole at Montague. rotation. The switch to arable cultivation and a cereal Statistics:Sussex University Research Paper 10, 1993/ Binns Funnell & Stephen & Country Life, November, 2015.17 xxxx xxx

Farming in the High Weald Isobel Bretherton of NFU South East takes a look at low impact farming in Wealden. ▲ chestnut coppice – piles of timber industry, and hazel, along with ash ▲ Joe with ‘Kents’ (Romney sheep) and overwintered stubbles which and oak standards. Alders grow in “By opening up the canopy ow input farming is a “It is a mainly grassland They support two local abattoirs are really good for yellowhammers the wettest areas and they too are a wealth of woodland way of life for High Weald farm with ancient and – the sheep and pigs go to Forge and other seed eating birds.” managed. flora and insects can be farmer Joe Gingell and semi-natural woodland on Farm Meats at Tunbridge Wells and encouraged.” his eldest brother Bill. The Gingell 250 acres of heavy clay and the cattle go through Tottingworth, The landscape at Earlye holds Two years ago, HLS funded the family have been farming at Earlye sandstone.” near Heathfield. many clues to a long history of coppicing of a shaw and a tree Farm at Wadhurst in East Sussex human occupation. belt/overgrown hedge on the To the ill-informed, the aftermath since 1945 when Joe and Bill’s late ‘Kents’ (Romney X sheep). Cereals Pasture and hedges southerly edge of the farm. “It of timber extraction can look father, Norman Gingell, came to are also grown on 20 acres. The pastures at Earlye support “We have bullace in some of the has really let the daylight in on brutal. But by opening up the Earlye and remarked that “it was Bill sells his Angus X store cattle, birds including thrushes and grey hedges. Often we will find the the grassland,” says Joe. “We canopy a wealth of woodland flora pretty wild”. and Texel cross store lambs wagtails, which forage for insects. remains of an old building and the are planting chequer trees as and insects can be encouraged. Joe through South East Marts at Joe says: “This is very low input odd fruit tree – a sign of ancient well.” Now rare, the chequer tree singles out some woodland beside It is a mainly grassland farm with Hailsham. Three years ago the grassland. Some of it hasn’t been habitation.” or the wild service tree (Sorbus Partridges Lane on the farm’s ancient and semi-natural woodland farm entered the Higher Level ploughed for 100 years. We have torminalis) is confined to pockets boundary. “Within four months of on 250 acres of heavy clay and Stewardship (HLS) scheme. a plant called dyer’s greenweed in “I am encouraged to cut of ancient woodland – it favours it being cleared, there was a tourist sandstone. Bill Gingell runs a Stewardship supports a system one of the fields. And if I go out at an acre of chestnut every clay or lime soils. Chequers, the attraction – it was beautiful with 50-cow beef suckler herd (Angus of management that was already night I can see 20 or 30 woodcock year, so it is a mutually Prime Minister’s country retreat in bluebells and people drove here to X Simmental) and a flock of 70 underway at Earlye, funding work here. beneficial arrangement.” Buckinghamshire is named after see it!” he says, proving that a little on woodland and hedges. this tree. input pays dividends for wildlife Pedigree Sussex cow at Frankham ▼ “The old leys have reverted to what Woodland within a short time. Joe contract farms 250 acres at I call ‘Sussex grassland’ but it Ancient woodland is a feature of Joe is allowed to work the Frankham farm next door and seems to provide reasonable keep.” both farms – shaws (small copses), woodland and takes chestnut FACT FILE rents land around Frant. Here coppice and steep wooded valleys for fencing. “I am encouraged Joe runs the Frankham herd of Fields are bounded by a network of known as gills. Joe controls deer to cut an acre of chestnut every At the time of Domesday, pedigree Sussex cattle – which tree belts and stockproof hedges, to protect the woodlands and any year, so it is a mutually beneficial the High Weald was the has been built up over the past especially holly. The hedges are a coppice regrowth – fallow are the arrangement.” most densely wooded decade, the progeny being well legacy left by Norman who tamed most numerous and there are small area of England. Over received at pedigree sales. He is the landscape and trimmed the numbers of roe. Nowadays fencing can be erected the centuries, skilled also responsible for a productive hedges annually – he was still quite quickly. Joe cuts chestnut woodsmen extracted 100 pedigree Romney ewes, which working the chestnut coppice into The stream that runs through the and makes sturdy posts, peeling timber for building, fuel lamb outside – his own flock of his 80s. farm, a tributary of the Teise, is the bark off them. A JCB is used for heating and charcoal Kents are nearby. Just under peppered with old ironworkings to bang the posts in and wire is half of the farm is in Entry Level Bill says: “Under HLS, the hedges – the Fowle family of Wadhurst strung and tensioned between the for iron smelting. The Stewardship. are now cut every other year were a well-known family of posts mechanically. Joe has the woods provided pannage to provide food and berries for ironmasters. Much of the coppice skill to make chestnut post and every autumn – acorns The brothers also rear pigs for their wildlife. We have also done some is sweet chestnut and hornbeam railing for areas where an attractive and beech mast – for own consumption and Joe grows hedgerow restoration. On the arable coppice which was favoured for fence is needed, but this takes the pigs. turkeys for the Christmas market. land, we have wild birdseed cover charcoal production by the iron biggest and best timber. 18 19 Dates for your Diary

Making Places: East Sussex workshop Thursday 17 March, 5-9pm The Main Hall, Hill Crest Community Centre, Bay Vue Road, Newhaven, BN9 9LH

Parish councillors and representatives from the Lewes district parishes of Newhaven, South Heighton, Peacehaven, Telscombe, Piddinghoe, Seaford, Southease, and Torring Neville have been invited to the design workshop. Family Adventures in the Countryside “Join the fun at Wilderness Wood” 1 June 2016 meet at 11am Wilderness Wood, Main Road, Hadlow Down, TN22 4HJ

If you have children and/or grandchildren, bring them along to the woods for a fun day out.

Lucy’s Little Forest School will lead an hour long den- building session in the woods. The children can build a shelter, an army camp or a dinosaur encampment, 2016 AGM on Saturday 16 July learning new skills, using their creativity and 10am for 10.30 connecting with the natural world. Barcombe Village Hall, Road, BN8 5BH A picnic lunch will be held on reserved tables. In the afternoon you will be able to explore the woodland Please join us for our 2016 AGM. This impressive, trail and the children can use the play equipment. beautiful and modern hall is set in stunning There will be creative activities during lunch too. countryside with wide reaching views towards the Ashdown Forest and across to the Ouse Valley. This is a new venture for us – outings are normally the preserve of adults! We hope you will support us, Our traditional AGM programme of informative do come along and bring the family. speakers, a delicious buffet lunch and guided walk of the local area will follow the formal business. Bring a picnic, wellies and suitable clothing Please save this date – full information to follow on For children from ages 5-11 the website and in the Summer newsletter. Cost: £10 per child Places are limited so book early. 20