Support from politicians

“I don't really have the words to say how strongly I would oppose this application…building 3,000 houses on East Chiltington is unacceptable… it will fundamentally alter the nature of that entire part of the district.”

— James MacCleary, Deputy Leader Lewes District Council, Leader of the Lib Dem Group

“The Eton college proposal is completely unacceptable, and I have offered to call this in with the Secretary of State.”

— Maria Caulfield MP, Lewes

“I stand with residents, horrified by the scale of this development. The whole planning system needs changing - scrapping government housing targets that are driving a ‘build build build’ agenda, and giving a green light to developers to concrete over our countryside.”

— Zoe Nicholson, Leader Lewes District Council, Leader of the Green Group

“I was shocked to read about this scheme and see its location on the edge of the South Downs National Park. It’s clear that this is inappropriate. This may not be part of Brighton & Hove but it will certainly affect its residents who use that area for walking and exercising etc. Whilst we can all acknowledge that there is a huge need for more housing in Brighton & Hove, we need more affordable housing, built for key workers, families who are paying eye-watering rents and people who have languished on the housing waiting list. From these plans, I don’t think an urban development on the edge of the SDNP will supply this need.”

— Peter Kyle MP, Hove constituency

… and is this support from Prime Minister Boris Johnson????

(There has been) “some misunderstanding about the planning reforms, perhaps even some wilful misunderstanding on behalf of our opponents".

"What we want are sensible plans to allow development on brownfield sites, we're not going to build on greenbelt sites, we're not going to build all over the countryside”

“I reject the idea of a new town, which would turn East Chiltington, Plumpton Green and Chailey into suburbs and destroy the rural nature of our area. This is the wrong thing in the wrong place.”

Rob Banks, Lewes District Councillor for Plumpton, Streat, East Chiltington & St John Without

I (also) share your concerns about the proposed development of housing on the South Downs, on land that is owned by Eton College. The South Downs is one of my favourite places, and I have consistently opposed its urbanisation. It is clear that this Government can’t be trusted to protect green space, and I completely agree with your concerns about access to nature.

— Caroline Lucas MP, Brighton Pavilion constituency, former leader Green Pary