Our campaign to protect green spaces steps up a gear
The West Sussex Gazette has been campaigning since October to protect our green spaces from unsustainable housing development – but now we join our sister titles from across the whole of the county in calling for action.
Today, JPIMedia’s Sussex titles – from Chichester in the west to Hastings in the east – join together in an effort to open the dialogue about changing the way national planning policies see unrealistic levels of housebuilding imposed on our councils.
In a special launch piece, which can be read in full on page 11 of this week’s newspaper, we say: “Our councils are facing huge pressure to deliver on the government’s housing targets.
“They are often impossible to achieve without concreting over vast areas of green fields. In some cases, even developing every blade of grass would still likely see councils fall short.
“We believe it is time for change.”
The Gazette’s campaign began back in October on the back of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party Conference speech, in which he noted the need for new homes in this country but crucially conceded: “Not just jammed in the South East but beautiful homes on brownfield sites in places where homes make sense.”
The Prime Minister’s words – and a lack of meaningful action to address issues with housing figures in Sussex since – also forms a key part of our joint campaign.
CPRE, the Countryside Charity, has pledged its support to the campaign.
The organisation said Sussex needed a planning system which provided more protection for greenfield land.
In a joint statement, professor Dan Osborn, chairman of CPRE Sussex, and trustee Dr Roger Smith, said: “CPRE Sussex welcomes the campaign for a better planning system where local voices get heard and where priority is given to meeting the need that local people have for truly affordable homes.
“The current system does nothing for levelling-up and fails to provide climate-ready communities.
“Sussex communities need a planning system that recognises the value of greenfields for producing food and storing carbon and water, and for nature and wellbeing.”
The duo called on the Prime Minister to take action.
They said: “The Prime Minister must adopt policies affording greater protection to greenfield sites to keep his promises on the environment that benefits us all. Our local authorities are being made to push on regardless, no matter what the consequences are for local communities and the environment.
“The current approach is unsustainable and could be seen to be reckless since we cannot keep taking bites out of nature without it biting back.
“The South East is already running out of water and sewage problems are common.
“Communities are already protesting. What is needed urgently now and for the future is planning that is empirical and pragmatic, and community led – and that would let councils set their own housing targets.”
Have you say: See page 11 for details about how you can involved in our campaign.