Hundreds attend public rally against development near three Brighton villages

More than 500 people attended a public rally against a proposed housing development on countryside between three villages.

The Save Our Deans campaign was established when it was revealed Lightwood Property wanted to build up to 315 properties on land between Ovingdean, Rottingdean and Woodingdean.

The developers claim the plans for land in the Meadow Vale area, which is not in the South Downs National Park, is needed to help solve the city’s housing crisis.

But hundreds of locals – united under the banner of “we don’t want it” – are opposed claiming it will lead to the loss of green fields, create extra congestion and place a strain on local infrastructure.

Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby was among those who attended the meeting at Longhill School last night (Thursday April 17).

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Kirby said more than 90% of local residents were against the proposal.

He said he would lobby ministers to “call in” any successful planning application, meaning it would be reviewed in Whitehall.

Mr Kirby said: “People are rightly angry that the special village feel of Ovingdean, Rottingdean and Woodingdean could be compromised by this development.

“I pledged to work with residents and Ministers to do all I can do to stop this proposal from being agreed.”

Nancy Platts, Labour’s candidate for the area at the general election, and Davy Jones, her Green counterpart, also spoke at the meeting.

In a statement issued beforehand, Ms Platts said: “A green gap has to be respected locally as it provides a vital link between Balsdean and Beacon Hill and Roedean, forming part of the South Downs National Park.

“Another area of concern is the extra pressure on the Falmer Road and Rottingdean High Street where traffic levels are already too high.

“This starts to raise the question whether the time has come for a Woodingdean by-pass.”

Mr Jones previously said: “The plans for new homes risk massive traffic deterioration in an already bad traffic black spot.

“They will put enormous pressure on local public services. Concreting over a field next to a road that is prone to flooding also seems irresponsible.

“But above all, this development is the thin end of the wedge for more greenfield site proposals from opportunistic developers hoping to get previously rejected plans overturned by the Government Inspector.”

Ward councillor Mary Mears said: “People are very motivated about this. There are so many planning objections that people could put forward on this.”

She added the land had originally been proposed to be included in the national park but was withdrawn in 2004.

Developers Lightwood Property have drawn up five different proposals which could see between 140 and 315 houses build on the site.

Exact details are expected to be formalised ahead of a planning application being submitted in the coming months.

A decision will then be made by Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee.

However, after the local authority was criticised by a national planning inspector for failing to meet its housing target of nearly 20,000 homes over the next 20 years, council chiefs admitted it may have no way of rejecting development plans on Meadow Vale.

As Lightwood Property said on its website: “The local authority are unable to demonstrate a five year land supply and are unprepared to defend against inappropriate sites coming forward under the National Planning Policy Framework guidelines.

“Meadow Vale offers significant opportunity in the form of multiple options to deliver a mix of family housing without impacting on the South Downs National Park.”