“New haciendas and gin palaces”

George Cruikshank The Gin Palace
The Midhurst and Petworth Observer reports:

A House of Commons debate on national parks .. was called in response to a government proposal to allow the conversion of up to three dwellings, or the replacement of existing farm buildings, without planning permission.

Mr [Nick] Herbert warned the proposals could lead to ‘the creation of a suburbia .. and inappropriate development — new haciendas and gin palaces — instead of maintaining the character of the parks and the landscape, which was precisely why they were created’.

A number of Conservative MPs, many representing constituencies that lie partly or wholly within national parks, spoke against the proposals. Concerns have also been raised by the South Downs Society and the Campaign for National Parks.

Annual Parish Meeting alert

Woodland Trust sites near Fulking
Woodland Trust sites near Fulking
The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on 1st May and the Parish Council has arranged for a speaker from the Woodland Trust. If anybody has any questions, or areas that they would like the speaker to cover, please contact me. And put the date in your diary!

Andrea Dickson
Clerk to Fulking Parish Council
01444 451 060
andreadicksonfpc@gmail.com