Massive housing threat to West Sussex village prompts action
Residents in a West Sussex village are to stage a community action day in protest at the prospect of being swamped by new housing.
Villagers in Henfield, who fear up to 1,400 new houses being built around them, are taking part in a UK-wide Day of Action for Nature, Parks and Green Spaces, organised by the Community Planning Alliance.
The national call to arms – which is backed by naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham who says the countryside is at grave risk – is being held on April 18 to highlight the threat faced by rampant development.
The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Henfield says the village of around 2,700 households is facing multiple threats from property developers wanting to build more than 1,400 houses on its green fields.
They say that if planning permission is granted, the local population would increase by more than 50 per cent, the village would face losing its identity and become a dormitory town for overspill from Brighton and Crawley.
Campaign for Protection of Rural Henfield spokesperson Alison Egan: “If developers are allowed to build even a fraction of these houses the village will change forever. Parts of our infrastructure are already broken or at breaking point. We do not want to become a dormitory town, we want to remain a village with a community.
“Henfield is joining the CPA's National Day of Action to demonstrate with one clear voice that people everywhere care deeply about the natural world and want to see it protected and restored.
“Safeguarding green spaces is a shared national priority and we want to highlight the potential plight of our village by joining with others across the country who share our concerns to make it clear to this and future governments that we want and need to keep our green spaces.
“We also hope that people will leave our Henfield Day of Action empowered and equipped to object to these developments.”
Events on the day will include birdwatching tours to the proposed sites, heritage tours that illustrate the historic nature of the area, plus children's activities and a barbecue.
Keynote speakers will give short talks on ecology and wildlife, and explain why flooding and sewerage problems worsen with each development. There will also be practical advice on how to seize the initiative and protest against the developments.
The Day of Action in Henfield will take place from 10am-3pm on April 18 at Henfield’s Youth Club, Deer Park, Henfield BN5 9QE.