This looks at the modifications to the DPD that the Inspector has recommended, and SOFLAG will be submitting a response as advised by our legal team.

They have also suggested that it would be helpful for the Inspector to be reminded of the strength of feeling against the concreting over of these precious greenfield sites, and this is where you come in. We need as many of you as possible to respond to the consultation.

Technically, you are only supposed to comment on the Inspector’s modifications, which only mention SA13. The modification which concerns us is “MM4” on page 3 of this document: https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/media/7474/sadpd_mainmods_schedule.pdf

There are several critical points we would like you to make:

• you support the new requirement to “respond” to the setting of the South Downs National Park which acknowledges the “sensitive environmental context”
• you agree that Site SA13 requires a full Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) but this  LVIA must be undertaken BEFORE the layout of the site – including how many (if any) houses it can accommodate – is agreed
• this means that the LVIA should be undertaken NOW, before the adoption of the DPD, otherwise policy SA13, and therefore the DPD itself, would be unsound

That’s the technical bit, you can also add your own thoughts on why this is a precious green space whose biodiversity and environmental value as a wildlife haven and rich habitat should be preserved.

You can see what a natural and rewilded environment it really is from this recent photo:

All these trees and natural vegetation provide a unique and wild habitat for precious Sussex wildlife from snakes and rare amphibians to at risk birds including nightingales.