10 July 2014
Campaigners from the Sussex branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE Sussex) have today [Thursday 10 July] launched their ‘Sussex Countryside Charter’, which calls on MPs and Councillors to ensure better protection for the countryside. The Charter will be launched as part of the CPRE Sussex AGM, which takes place at Plumpton College. With increasing development pressures being forced upon our open countryside, CPRE Sussex has produced the Charter to send a strong message to local and national politicians that the countryside is vital to the health and wellbeing of people in Sussex.
And now the charity is calling on the residents of Sussex to make their voices heard, by signing the Charter at cpresussex.org.uk and showing politicians at all levels that they must listen to public opinion.
“We are saying loud and clear that whatever the government’s original intentions, the reformed planning system is not working”, said David Johnson, CPRE Sussex Chair.
Mr Johnson added: “Local people are being disregarded, open countryside is being developed while suitable brownfield land is left unused, and too few affordable homes are being built [3].
“Sussex communities face damaging energy and transport schemes. The health and well-being of our rural communities is hanging in the balance.”
The county is seeing an increase in the number of applications for oil and gas exploration, both through conventional wells and potentially through fracking.
CPRE Sussex believes that short-termism is driving the current national planning system, and that the rush for gas risks harming the character and tranquility of our villages with local impacts overlooked unless community voices are heard, which is why they have included Energy for the Future as one of the Charter’s key commitments [1].
One such application is currently facing the residents of Kirdford & Wisborough Green. The proposed exploration drilling site is to be located on the edge of the South Downs National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty and between two quintessential West Sussex villages.
Sue Jameson long term resident and member of ‘Keep Kirdford & Wisborough Green’ group, said:
“We want to leave a legacy of peace and tranquillity for our grandchildren, not one that is fraught with potential for long-term pollution and degradation of our glorious Sussex landscape and its wildlife.”
Richard Hill, CPRE Sussex spokesperson for Chichester area said:
“This is a totally unsuitable site, not only is it within the setting of a National Park, the approach route is along a small narrow road with an ancient single-track bridge and vulnerable road surfaces, entirely incompatible with the large volume of HGVs that would be accessing the site daily.
“The surrounding fields and adjacent woodland provides the ideal feeding and living environment for a number of highly endangered and protected species, such as dormice and Barbastelle bats. These animals are in danger of being lost forever; destroying one of their last few homes would be disastrous.”
Ends
For further information and to arrange an interview, please contact: Georgia Wrighton, Director CPRE Sussex, Mobile: 07964894333 or email: georgia.wrighton@cpresussex.org.uk
Notes to editors:
The CPRE Sussex Countryside Charter asks residents, MPs and Councillors to sign up to six commitments to the countryside http://cpresussex.org.uk/campaigns/sussex-countryside-charter
The Charter will be launched on Thursday 10 July at CPRE Sussex Countryside Trust’s AGM, which will be taking place at Plumpton College. Photos will be taken throughout the day, if you would like copies, please contact CPRE Sussex on 01825 890975, or info@cpresussex.org.uk [3] See the CPRE report ‘Community Control or Countryside Chaos?’ The effect of the National Planning Policy Framework two years on http://www.cpre.org.uk/resources/housing-and-planning/planning/item/3569-community-control-or-countryside-chaos?highlight=WyJjb21tdW5pdHkiLCJjb250cm9sIiwiY29tbXVuaXR5IGNvbnRyb2wiXQ==