Council shelves plan to sell off Brighton downland

Plans to sell off parts of Brighton & Hove downland have been shelved by the city council.

The decision, made last night (Thursday, December 8) by the council’s policy resources and growth committee, has bene welcomed by Friends of the Earth campaigners.

There had been a joint Green and Conservative motion at the meeting and 25 protesters had greeted councillors as they arrived.

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Dave Bangs of Keep Our Downs Public also led a deputation to the committee about the downland sales.

Monica Jennings, of Brighton & Hove Friend of the Earth, said: “This is brilliant news for the people of Brighton & Hove and for our downland. Our thanks go out to the Conservative and Green councillors who took our concerns seriously and stopped these sales.

“Now we need to make sure that there are no attempts to do this again.

“This is an opportunity for the Council to take its stewardship of the downland more seriously.

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“There’s far more that could be done, such as increasing access or wildlife, that would bring greater benefits for local people.”

Eastbourne Borough Council is still considering selling off farmland on the Downs.