Moulsecoomb - Bevendean History Project
Development of the Moulsecoomb estate
Stanmer Estate Inquiry continued
IF BRIGHTON BUY STANMER –
TWO-THIRDS WILL REMAIN DOWNLAND
TWO-THIRDS WILL REMAIN DOWNLAND
If Brighton purchases the Stanmer estate two-thirds of it will be
preserved as open Downland. This was stated by Mr J. G. Drew O.B.E.,
Town Clerk of Brighton, at the resumed inquiry on Wednesday into the
application to make the purchase after agreements had been put on
behalf of local farmers and beauty lovers agreement had been made that
the estate formed part of the South Downs recommended for conservation
by the National Parks Committee.
Brighton Corporation wish to acquire 4958 acres of the Chichester estate for protection of their water supply, for housing, school and industrial estates outside the existing Borough boundary.
Chailey Rural Council, are the only objecting authority contends that Brighton can find room for its development within its own boundaries described the application to borrow £232,619 as premature – their main objection being based on the need to maintain the green belt between Brighton and the Lewes in its present state.
Brighton Corporation wish to acquire 4958 acres of the Chichester estate for protection of their water supply, for housing, school and industrial estates outside the existing Borough boundary.
Chailey Rural Council, are the only objecting authority contends that Brighton can find room for its development within its own boundaries described the application to borrow £232,619 as premature – their main objection being based on the need to maintain the green belt between Brighton and the Lewes in its present state.
PROPOSED PARK
Chailey’s planning consultant, Mr W. R. Davidge told the
inspector (Mr A. Gerard Boulton) that the estate would be included
within part of the South downs recommended for preservation in the
Hobhouse Report of the National Parks Committee, but Mr J. G. Drew
O.B.E., (Brighton’s Town Clerk) said the report was completely
consistent with Brighton’s proposals for the estate, two-thirds
of which would be preserved as Downland. Mr Davidge later said the
exact boundaries of the proposed National Park had still to be fixed.
Councillor G. Bradstock, Chairman of the Chailey Council, considered his counsel should have had a voice in drawing up Brighton’s agreement with the County Council not to apply for boundary extensions beyond the village of Falmer.
Councillor G. Bradstock, Chairman of the Chailey Council, considered his counsel should have had a voice in drawing up Brighton’s agreement with the County Council not to apply for boundary extensions beyond the village of Falmer.
GOOD FARMLAND
“we must not take all good agricultural land the housing,”
exclaimed Mr Lewis Pearce Greenwood of Swansboro farm, Lewes, a farmer
and member of the objecting Council who told the inspector that land on
the estate which Brighton wish to take for housing was better farmland
than that being farmed within the Borough.
He estimated that there were 1965 acres parable, 2760 acres grass and 700 rough grazing on farms within Brighton which he considered should be built on before other land was developed.
“Farmers are extremely worried at the inroads made by building,” he stated. “They have already suffered in Brighton from sheep worrying them building development there would be a strong protest from the agricultural community if Stanmer were taken over.”
He estimated that there were 1965 acres parable, 2760 acres grass and 700 rough grazing on farms within Brighton which he considered should be built on before other land was developed.
“Farmers are extremely worried at the inroads made by building,” he stated. “They have already suffered in Brighton from sheep worrying them building development there would be a strong protest from the agricultural community if Stanmer were taken over.”
CONCERN OVER WATER
Mr Drew urged upon the inspector Brighton’s concern for the
safety of the water supply – that was why Brighton wish to
control the development themselves although the extra precautions for
drainage would cost £20,000.
Mr A. H. Perkins, Chailey’s Clerk, concluded his case by saying saying “My case has been based upon the lack of co-operation between the County Council and ourselves – the County Council came to an agreement of which we had no knowledge.” Brighton had not stated the true case as to their needs, which could be met without going outside the borough.
The inspector later viewed Stanmer Park and the result of the Minister’s finding will be announced later.
Mr A. H. Perkins, Chailey’s Clerk, concluded his case by saying saying “My case has been based upon the lack of co-operation between the County Council and ourselves – the County Council came to an agreement of which we had no knowledge.” Brighton had not stated the true case as to their needs, which could be met without going outside the borough.
The inspector later viewed Stanmer Park and the result of the Minister’s finding will be announced later.
From the Brighton & Hove Gazette 26 July 1947
