Growing concerns in East Sussex that ‘gateway’ to one of the UK’s most popular views is under threat

Jackie Frost contacted this newspaper following its coverage of King Charles III’s visit to the Seven Sisters on March 19.

The King was in the area to inaugurate the King Charles III England Coast Path.

Jackie, from Friends of Seaford Head, said a photo in our March 27 issue shows the King standing in front of a ‘world famous’ view – Seaford Head, the Seven Sisters Cliffs and the Cuckmere river.

But she pointed out that there is ‘a large field a few hundred metres away to the north’, known as Chyngton Field.

Jackie said: “Adjacent to this field is an ancient bridleway, commonly called ‘the tank road’ as it was metalled by US army engineers in preparation for D-Day. It is this bridleway, running between fields, that forms the gateway to this unique and beautiful area.”

She continued: “For centuries Chyngton Field has lain undisturbed, nestling among the surrounding downland providing grazing and forage for farm animals and wildlife alike. It ‘did its bit’ in World War I, providing a temporary encampment for troops, many from the Commonwealth, on their way to the Western Front. It is this field that is now under threat.”

Jackie said the field is being put forward for a major housing development. A document at planningpolicyconsult.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk confirms that Lewes District Council (LDC) is considering building up to 30 homes on the land south of Chyngton Way. Responding to Jackie’s concerns, LDC said it has conducted consultations across the district so residents can contribute to the preparation of the local plan.

Jackie said LDC classed the field as developable in its recent consultation for the emerging Lewes Local Plan. But she believes this is ‘contrary to many national and local planning policies’. She said: “This precious field has a long roll call of attributes, which most people would consider would preclude it from development.”

Jackie said Natural England designated it a Habitat Network Expansion Zone while LDC ‘admits it is likely home to protected species’.

She said: “The field abuts the South Downs National Park on its eastern and southern boundaries and has been designated by the National Park as a ‘nature friendly’ action area. It also adjoins National Trust farmland and the Heritage Coast to the east and is in the impact zone of the Beachy Head to Seaford SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and the new Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve. Any development will therefore be very disruptive to the ecology of the area.”

Jackie is not the only person objecting to development on the field.

A ‘Save Chyngton Field from development’ petition was started recently at www.change.org, receiving more that 2,200 verified signatures. The petition’s message said the field ‘contributes to the wide sweeping vista of the South Downs Landscape’ and urges people to help ‘protect this gateway to the South Downs National Park for wildlife and for future generations to enjoy’.

In 2024, East Sussex County Councillor Sam Adeniji (Seaford North) started a campaign to save Chyngton Field from development, saying: “These proposed homes would probably be unaffordable to many residents of Seaford, Chyngton Field is not within walking distance of schools, shops, medical and other facilities. There is no public transport close to the Chyngton Field.”

Jackie said LDC would have to consider a ‘wealth of evidence’ against development provided by groups including Seaford Town Council, The National Trust, Sussex Wildlife Trust and Friends of the South Downs. But she said there is ‘currently no indication’ LDC will change its mind.

She said: “Chyngton Field is considered as an inherent part of Seaford Head. Local people are at a loss to understand why our local district council seems unable to appreciate the value of this area and why the council are seeking to encourage the building of a major housing estate on the approach to this valuable site.”

She said: “There is no doubt there is a need for further housing in Seaford, in particular one and two bedroom homes, which there is a lack of in the town. Unfortunately, these homes are very unlikely to be built on this prime greenfield site that is bordering the entrance to one of the most iconic and recognisable views in Southern England.”

She added that there are brownfield sites in the centre of Seaford that could be used. Jackie said the issue ‘should be seen in the wider context of development along the coastal strip within Lewes District’ where ‘woefully inadequate infrastructure already fails to serve the current population’.

An LDC spokesperson said: “We have conducted a series of consultations across the district that gave residents the opportunity to contribute to the preparation of the local plan. Tens of thousands of people have shared their thoughts and opinions through the various consultations over the years, and we are grateful to all of them.

“These contributions help us prepare a sound local plan and demonstrate to the planning inspector that we have been exhaustive in seeking views, evaluating all the evidence and identifying the correct housing requirement for Lewes district.”