STOP
CISSBURY SELL OFF
Dear Countryside Lover,
We
are writing to ask for your support in helping to stop the sale by Worthing
Borough Council of your
bit of the South Downs – the downland on the slopes running up to Cissbury Ring from the edge of Worthing.
Downland
where we should roam free
These
are the fields and little copses we walk with our children up to the Ring. These
are the fields where we walk our dogs and meet our neighbours. These are the
slopes where we blackberry, and picnic, and watch birds – buzzards and
skylarks, and the swallows and warblers that rest and feed-up on the Cissbury
Downs on their long spring and autumn journeys to and from the African tropics.
This
council owned land at Cissbury is in two bits. One bit comprises a mile and a
half along the ridge of Tenant Hill between Charmandean and Cissbury Ring. The
other bit comprises three quarters of a mile of Downland on Mount Carvey,
between Findon Valley and Cissbury Ring.
Sadly,
Worthing councillors have forgotten the public purposes for which this Downland
was purchased in the 60's. It is our job to remind them: -
This land was acquired by the council then to protect it, for the benefit of Worthing people.
As
for Cissbury Ring itself that was purchased in 1925 following a national appeal
via the Daily Express. It's understood Worthing council played a central role in helping the National Trust
obtain Cissbury Ring – the Iron Age Hill Fort, its Stone Age flint mines
and ancient wildlife. The Council also donated part of Highdown Hill to the
National Trust.
Now they just see this part of the South Downs as a ‘piggy bank’ to raise a bit of money. They are asking a mere £200,000 for the Mount Carvey land, the real value of which is PRICELESS.
This
land is to Worthing what council-owned Beachy Head is to Eastbourne, or Stanmer
Park is to Brighton. It is our Green
lung.
No
need to sell
There
is lots of money available to Worthing council to help them enhance this land. A special
scheme to help farmers care for the environment is now available to Local
Councils. It is called Higher Level Stewardship (HLF). The new National Park
will help Worthing with their expertise. The National Trust will be interested
in working in partnership for this enhancement, which will also benefit their
property at Cissbury Ring. There are budgets available for enhancing public
recreation and conserving special wildlife.
How
you can help
Time is short. Please, write now a friendly letter (maybe composed from some of the above) to councillor Paul Yallop, the Worthing council leader, asking him to withdraw all the Downland from sale, and accept the help which is available to enhance this Downland for the benefit of all.
Address
your letter to Cllr Paul Yallop. Town Hall Chapel Road Worthing or e-mail:
paul.yallop@worthing.gov.uk
Write also to the local papers, click for addresses and to your Ward Councillor. If you do not know their address, click for Worthing or click for Findon.
Finally for loads more information about Cissbury Ring and nearby Downland Click.