Brighton and Hove City Council are currently consulting on the creation of a City Downland Estate Plan. This is an amazing opportunity for us all to contribute to and influence how the estate is managed. Now is the time to think creatively, and set a new direction for management, which truly delivers for people and nature. We need everyone to contribute.
DEADLINE 21st MARCH 2021
Find out about the Downland we own: Brighton’s Big Secret - The Downland We Own and our vision for it.
DEADLINE 21st MARCH 2021
Find out about the Downland we own: Brighton’s Big Secret - The Downland We Own and our vision for it.
|
What is the Whole Estate Plan?
Brighton and Hove City Council own around 12,800 acres of land surrounding the city and located within the South Downs National Park. The South Downs National Park Authority has asked organisations within the National Park who own land to produce a Whole Estate Plan to decide the best approach to their future management given the statutory purposes of the National Park: To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area and to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park by the public |
How can I get involved?
Brighton and Hove City Council and Brighton Downs Alliance want everyone contribute their ideas. You can do this by email or through the online community forum. There's a three minute quick survey and also a more in depth one. If you already know what you want to say and want to simply submit your thoughts, then emailing the council is probably the simplest option - [email protected]. If you have lots of ideas and especially if you have any evidence about the current state of any areas of the downland estate, then we really recommend using the new community forum. DEADLINE 21st MARCH 2021 |
What does the Brighton Downs Alliance think should be in the plan?
|
Brighton Downs Alliance has written a Position Statement
This is a set of five key principles set out in ten points of the basic needs for our public Brighton Downs Estate. These are the headlines and you will have your area of expertise or interest, so please expand on the points you wish to make, so that the council has a good response on the needs of our Downs. There is a page of notes, which may help, but it's down to you / your organisation’s knowledge of specific areas to provide the essential detail back to Brighton and Hove City Council, so that the Plan truly protects and enhances our Brighton Downs Estate. DEADLINE 21st MARCH 2021 |
The Brighton Downs Alliance wants to see full downland ecosystem restoration, community-led food growing and open, free public connection with our local heritage.
We want Brighton and Hove City Council to work with residents, the South Downs National Park Authority and other local stakeholders to create a long-term, sustainable plan which brings in revenue, increases biodiversity and places our health and well-being at the heart of how we manage the land we own. We want the plan to cover all of the issues that we have set out on the Vision pages of this website and particularly, want Brighton and Hove City Council to demonstrate their commitment to combating the global biodiversity, climate and health emergencies. |
How to use the community forum
There is lots of information on the forum explaining how to use it. The council want you to contribute any evidence, photos, maps, stories or projects from the downland by registering on the forum. We really encourage you to do this, as Brighton Downs Alliance doesn’t think that the council’s evidence for the plan is good enough yet. For example, we will be submitting our own collective knowledge of the current state of chalk grassland on the Estate, where the richest parts are holding on and where areas are in need of urgent management. As well as member organisations who have in depth knowledge of their local patch, we have members with knowledge of the important areas for archaeology and where there needs to be better access for walkers.
We need to make sure that all this information gets to the council, so that they can use it to inform their plan. Please share any information and opinions you have on the forum too. There is also a discussion tab where people can post and respond to each other’s ideas. Currently there is not too much on there. We’d really like to get some positive conversations going about all the different opportunities and challenges for the downland, so please do get involved.
There is lots of information on the forum explaining how to use it. The council want you to contribute any evidence, photos, maps, stories or projects from the downland by registering on the forum. We really encourage you to do this, as Brighton Downs Alliance doesn’t think that the council’s evidence for the plan is good enough yet. For example, we will be submitting our own collective knowledge of the current state of chalk grassland on the Estate, where the richest parts are holding on and where areas are in need of urgent management. As well as member organisations who have in depth knowledge of their local patch, we have members with knowledge of the important areas for archaeology and where there needs to be better access for walkers.
We need to make sure that all this information gets to the council, so that they can use it to inform their plan. Please share any information and opinions you have on the forum too. There is also a discussion tab where people can post and respond to each other’s ideas. Currently there is not too much on there. We’d really like to get some positive conversations going about all the different opportunities and challenges for the downland, so please do get involved.
