Bevendean History Project
Prehistoric downland swallowed up by developers
Here is an article from the Brighton & Hove Leader in September 1996 about the proposal to build houses at Hogs Edge.Houses are to be built on a Sussex Downland site which includes prehistoric and possibly Romano / British settlements.
The scheme was approved by Brighton Council planners on Tuesday despite protests from residents, archaeologists and environmental groups.
The plans by the South London Family Housing Association are for 10 self-build timber-framed homes with turfed roofs on land off Norwich Drive in Bevendean.
Objectors included the Country side Commission, Friends of the Earth, Keep Our Downs Public, the Sussex Wildlife Trust and the area's MP, Sir Andrew Bowden.
Phil Belden. chairman of Brighton Urban Wildlife Trust, told the leader: "This is an area of precious chalk grassland. It is comparatively rare nationally, and locally it accounts for less than five per cent of the entire South Downs."
He described it as a haven for the blue-flowered scabious and a variety of tall grasses, as well as brown and the rarer blue butterflies.
"It is home to 40 different species of plants per square metre and, as such, one of the nest natural habitats in Europe. This is a little fossilised area of wildlife.
“Where a site such as this is lost to housing a similar piece of arable land should be exchanged for it to be returned to chalk grassland and managed ecologically through the council’s ranger service.
The site also lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which has been consistently eroded over the years, with leisure developments by Brighton University encroaching on one side and industrial development on another.
Mr Belden added: "We are particularly upset because we have been working with Brighton Council to identify and classify lots of sites with the aim of developing a wildlife strategy. But when that strategy is put to the test it is immediately compromised."
Mr Belden is also asking the council to extend its sheep grazing area to the main slope surround historic Hogtrough Bottom.
Sir Andrew Bowden. Brighton Kemptown MP, voiced his concern at the loss to the people and children of Bevendean of a green field site.
I understand the pressures for additional housing in Brighton, but the continued development of green field sites will deprive future generations of open spaces and natural countryside.
What we have got from the council is a firm commitment that there will be no further development allowed in the area and that line must be held very firmly indeed."
From the Brighton & Hove Leader on 19 September 1996
