The Conference focussed on today's anniversary of the National Planning Policy Framework and the release of the CPRE national report ‘Countryside Promises: Planning realities’ which analyses the way that the government’s planning framework has been applied over the past year. The emerging evidence raises major concerns about whether the reformed planning system is capable of securing the development the community needs and preventing damaging schemes in the wrong locations. The report highlights that the views of local communities are being overruled time and time again, with major new housing developments being allowed to sprawl across precious countryside.

The event marks a critical time for local planning authorities as the ‘grace’ period for Councils to put Local Plans in place before central government policy takes over, is coming to an end. April 2013 sees the onset of a dangerous era in the way that planning principles are applied.

Please add your voice to the ‘Save Our Countryside’ campaign by writing to your MP here.

Nick Herbert MP said at the Conference that planning and housing is the single biggest issue that fills his postbag. Let's make sure that Sussex leads the charge and fills all MPs postbags and email inboxes to the brim!