We in West Sussex are on the frontline of the national debate on planning, squeezed between the coast and the capital. In my short year and a half as MP, I have spoken in Parliament many times against proposed developments on greenfield land at Adversane, Ashington, Buck Barn, Barnham, Mayfield, Kirdford and Wisborough Green. We now have to add Rock Road, Storrington to that list, where so called ‘social housing’ company, Clarion Group is trying to build on more than 30 acres of species-rich woodland, against the wishes of local people and the local approved neighbourhood plan. In addition to playing a personal role in stopping the ‘mutant algorithm’ which would have increased housing number targets, I am making clear to Ministers that any planning reform has to give back control to local communities. The homes that the nation needs should be built on brownfield land such as the derelict Shoreham Cement Works or in urban areas, such as London or Brighton that have the infrastructure and resources in place. A perfectly sensible national target for new dwellings is roughly one new dwelling for every 160 adults living in an area. That would be reasonable if everyone took their fair share. But London is building only one new dwelling for every 400 of its people and of that diminished figure, just one in 10 were sold to a conventional owner-occupier. Faced with a hostile environment and weighed down by planning conditions and social housing mandates, it is no wonder that developments look to where the grass is literally greener. This is unfair and is placing unbearable pressure on the ancient fields, countryside and woodlands of West Sussex.
On Friday, I joined with the National Farmers Union and the Sussex Police to raise awareness of the South Downs National Park’s Take The Lead campaign to promote responsible dog control. Livestock worrying is a genuine problem for farmers across the South Downs as livestock grazing land is often situated close to, or is crossed by, public rights of way. I know that dog owners love other animals too so please keep your dog under control near livestock. More info can be found at www.southdowns.gov.uk/take-the-lead
