CPRE Sussex Trustee Michael Brown’s speech appealed for true sustainable development, a legacy to leave our children, rather than short termism and ‘business as usual’. Dr Roger Smith, CPRE Sussex Horsham and Crawley representative, exposed the damaging effects of an unfettered ‘pro-growth’ planning system, which pushes local voices out of high stake planning decisions threatening to destroy precious countryside forever. CPRE Sussex Chair David Johnson invited allied groups to consider the benefits of working in partnership with CPRE Sussex to defend against the current onslaught on much-loved countryside and in favour of ‘the right development, in the right place’. Director, Georgia Wrighton spoke of the opportunities to volunteer with CPRE Sussex as a vital part of the team protecting the Sussex countryside.

Links to local groups who attended:

• LAMBS (Locals Against Mayfields Building Sprawl) lambs.org.uk
• CAGNE sites.google.com/site/cagnegatwick
• GACC www.gacc.org.uk
• Hands off Henfield www.handsoffhenfield.org.uk
• Keep Kirdford and Wisborough Green (KKWG) www.no-drilling.co.uk
• Frack Free Balcombe Residents Association (FFBRA) www.frackfreebalcombe.co.uk
• Save Houghton Forest savehoughtonforest.com
• The Ilex Conservation Group www.ferringvillage.co.uk/societies/5-ilex-conservation.htm

See below for:

• Two-part presentation by Dr Roger Smith
• Speech by David Johnson, Chair, CPRE Sussex