Latest News of Local Interest

Parsing the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

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Nick Herbert MP for Arundel and South Downs
Nick Herbert has told the West Sussex County Times :

We are not going to see house building all over the South Downs National Park, and the Minister [Nick Boles] did not say that there should be a relaxation of planning controls in parks, as press reports implied. He said that the parks should not become museums, and I agree with him about that.

I also agree with what the minister said about the need to express localism more fully in parks. I have always warned about the democratic deficit in national parks, which was reflected in the controversy over the South Downs National Park’s decision over to allow a travellers site at Crossbush.

It was the backbench MP who moved the debate [Simon Hart] who suggested that the duty to conserve parks should no longer be given primacy over the duty to secure economic well-being. The minister did not endorse this view, and it is not Government policy.

Ace Café Reunion Brighton Burn Up

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Ace Cafe Reunion Brighton Burn Up
This Is Local London warns:

Motorists are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys if they are using the M23, M25 and A23 this Sunday (September 15), as tens of thousands of motorcyclists are expected to take to the roads. The mass convoy of motorcyclists will be travelling down from London to Brighton as part of the 20th Ace Café Reunion event. They are due to travel along the anti-clockwise M25 between junctions 16 and 7, the southbound M23 and the southbound A23. Ben Wates, from the emergency planning team at the Highways Agency, which is responsible for motorways and major trunk roads, said: “We are asking road users to plan their journeys and allow extra time as we are expecting the M25, M23 and A23 to be busier than normal.”

Two free guided walks

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Number 77 bus to Devil's Dyke from Brighton
Saturday 14 September: 1100 – 1530 leaving from the bus stop outside Brighton Rail Station on the 11.12 Breeze Bus 77 to Devils Dyke then on a 6½ mile linear walk along the South Downs Way to Saddlescombe, Pyecombe, the Jack & Jill windmills and Hassocks where you can return to Brighton via train or bus. Remember to bring a picnic lunch.

Sunday 15 September: 1015 – 1345 for an 8 mile circular walk starting at Clayton windmills car park OS Explorer ref 122/303134 (bus service 769 leaves Brighton Station at 0940 to stop nearby, walk up from the A273. Return on 40X or 769) and heading south to the Chattri Indian Memorial. Then along the Sussex Border Path and the South Downs Way back past Pyecombe Church to the windmills.

Lady Brook Spring project postponed

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Lady Brook Spring work postponed

New dates will be announced when they become available.

The Lady Brook Spring Project is to be postponed as Northbrook College are unable to provide volunteers on Thursday 19th and Friday 20th September. As soon as new dates have been agreed they will be advertised on the website.

Should anybody have any queries about the project please do not hesitate to contact Andrea Dickson on andreadicksonfpc@gmail.com

Sussex 4×4 Response to help police

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Sussex 4x4 Response
Sussex 4×4 Response are to help police deal with major emergencies. The heavy snow that has fallen in the county over the last few years has shown the benefit of having an extra fleet of all-weather vehicles available to the emergency services. The idea was trialled successfully by Sussex Police during the sudden snowfall in the county in March when Sussex 4×4 Response volunteers helped get 999 control centre staff to their offices to keep the emergency telephone system working. Volunteers will have to undergo first aid training, learn advanced driver skills and be given health and safety guidance before they can get involved in the scheme. They will also vetted by the force and would have to sign a health declaration and confirm their vehicle is in good working order.