CPRE Sussex were warmly welcomed at Brightling Park International Horse Trials on 2^nd July.  We battled against high winds and blustery showers to assemble our stand but were rewarded with generous offers of help and by the glorious panoramic views of the High Weald countryside. 

This landscape is stunning offering extensive ancient woodland, rolling hills, historic farmland bordered by precious hedgerows and the glimpse of distant church spires hint at hidden villages.   

Visitors to our stand shared their deep concerns about the loss of green fields to development in their villages, the intrusion of low flying and more frequent aircraft over the Weald, housing without the jobs or the infrastructure and facilities to support the growth.   

Many feel overwhelmed by the pace of development.   

Help us get the right development in the right place, join us or make a donation today at: http://www.cpresussex.org.uk/how-you-can-help/join-or-donate/join-us/item/2188-you-can-help-save-the-countryside-from-as-little-as-three-pounds-per-month.

Access to the beautiful Combe Valley has now been opened - with a massive scar!  How long will it take to heal?  Ten years? Even longer.  You could also call it a rape as  well.  Whips cowering in plastic sleeves will produce no effective landscaping impact for at least ten years - they were  planted AFTER the road was built, and  not before, as we had urged , once the go ahead to build was given. And who  can tell when  the biodiversity they destroyed during the construction will return? It will have also to contend with the pollution the road engenders.

Could this devastation  in the name of roads  be a template  for other proposals along the South Coast A 27 corridor?

First, a call for help – we have the beginnings of a District Group in Wealden North but urgently need a volunteer with planning knowledge and experience to monitor weekly planning lists and advise/respond to enquiries. We would also benefit from “eyes and ears” in our towns and villages - individuals alert to inappropriate development proposals and local issues. If you can help, please e-mail Lesley at the office.

The Sun Shone on Uckfield Recycling centre...

2140kg is the combined weight of CPRE members attending the private tour of Uckfield Recycling Centre, the first of Lorna Train’s series of 2012 Summer Outings. Lured onto the weighbridge for an introductory chat in thankfully glorious sunshine, there followed an illuminating tour of the recycling facility and an instructive presentation in the Education Centre. It quickly became apparent how complex and expensive processing our everyday rubbish has become and how beholden we are to do our bit to first reduce, re-use, repair and then recycle.