Dear Friends and supporters,

We salute you. Yes in stifling heat you packed our meeting to overflowing and waited patiently for information and a debate on the campaign to protect Titnore lane, the surrounding ancient woodland and landscape, together with the nationally protected species there from the massive building scheme. 

Chris Hare, local historian and former West Sussex County Councillor, gave an interesting and eye opening insight into the ownership, over the past centuries of the land threatened by this destructive development plan and how the Somerset family become custodians of it. Chris also confirmed that during the time he was a County Councillor, there was deep public concern that the proposed Angmering bypass would have a severe impact on the setting of Highdown Hill. To placate those concerns it was proposed that traffic on Titnore lane would be reduced if the bypass was allowed to be built.

Chris Todd of the South Downs Campaign, warned of the real threat that if demands for the many bypasses and other traffic generating schemes along the A27 were approved, much of the South Downs landscape we all cherish would be degraded. Chris further warned that the scramble for building land would become unstoppable, as well paid workers snapped up homes in preferred countryside surroundings and now found it acceptable to commuters longer distances following a temporary congestion reduction on the bigger roads. His fear was that even the Downs and Highdown Hill was under threat.

Before the meeting opened to questions the audience listened intensely to the Lorna and Hollis, two of the hero’s of the growing number of direct action campaigners, who disillusioned with the undemocratic planning system have built homes high up in massive trees in the area of trees know known as Number 1 Titnore Woods. Their brave action has done more to bring to the nations attention Worthing Borough Councils shameful act of agreeing the £3Billion destruction of the area.

After the applause and a collection for the campaigners many members of the audience spoke to say they were seriously concerned by the actions of the council, pointing out the large number of voters who refused to vote in the recent elections. There were also pointed comments aimed at the MP together with councillors for the area not coming to the meeting after being invited. However there was praise for Caroline Lucas MEP who despite having been called away to vote at a European Parliamentary plenary in Strasbourg, found the time to write a letter of support for the campaign.

The meeting closed with spirits high and a pledge to let the company’s involved in the development, know of the campaigns determination to succeed and suggest they might like to avoid a public relations disaster by withdrawing from the development.

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