CHYNGTON FIELD
The field shown in the right foreground of the picture above with sheep quietly grazing is Chyngton Field. It is located at the bottom of the ancient bridleway leading up to South Hill barn, from where you can obtain the iconic view of the Seven Sisters cliffs. It forms part of the gateway to the South Downs National Park and to the Seaford Head Nature Reserve (soon to be part of a National Nature Reserve). Bordering National Trust farmland, the Heritage Coast and on two sides the South Downs National Park, it contributes to the wide sweeping vista of the South Downs landscape. It originally formed part of the early medieval Chyngton Farm and much later formed part of the South Camp occupied by WW1 soldiers from many Commonwealth nations. This field has been designated by Natural England as a Habitat Network Expansion Zone, an area where additional action may be undertaken to build greater ecological resilience across the wider landscape. The South Downs National Park have also set a ‘Nature Friendly Action’ for this field to improve connections beyond the existing habitat network. Both actions are designed to help wildlife and build climate resilience. The field is part of the heritage of the South Downs. It constitutes not only a heritage for the people that live in the area, a heritage for future generations but also for visitors to the area including visitors from around the globe.
WHY IS IT UNDER THREAT?
The field, currently owned by a developer, has been put forward for development as part of Lewes District Council’s Local Plan. Despite objections from local people, Seaford Town Council, The National Trust and Friends of the South Downs, Lewes District Council is at present forging ahead to encourage development of the site for a major housing development
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
Lewes District Council are currently considering whether this site should be included for development in their forthcoming Lewes Local Plan. A final list of sites to be consulted on in the Lewes Local Plan will be published this summer. You can contact your Lewes District Council councillor to argue against the development of this ecologically important field. Their details can be found at Find Councillor.
Similarly you can also contact your East Sussex County Councillor, their details can be found at Councillors | East Sussex County Council.
As the field borders the South Downs National Park on two sides, any development of the site will impact the landscape and character of the National Park. You can therefore write to Tim Slaney, Director of Planning for the South Downs National Park Authority, asking for your views to be considered when the National Park comment on any proposed development of the site. Tim Slaney’s email address is tim.slaney@southdowns.gov.uk .
You can email or write to James MacCleary the MP for this area to ask him to help protect this field, one which both Natural England and the South Downs National Park Authority see as an area where the habitat network connection to the wider landscape should be protected. His email address is james.maccleary.mp@parliament.uk . His postal address is House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.
Finally you may wish to contact Natural England as the field is in the impact zone of the SSSI which is soon to be incorporated in the impending Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve.
In addition to the above an online petition has been created which can be found at https://c.org/wxn4WpMxZ9 .
Local residents, past and present. have always valued and sought to protect the area of Seaford Head for future generations. Chyngton Field is considered as an inherent part of Seaford Head forming a gateway to the South Downs National Park leading up to Seaford Head Nature Reserve and the iconic view of the Seven Sisters cliffs. Local people are at a loss to understand why our local district council seems unable to understand the value of this area and why the council are seeking to encourage the building of a housing estate on the approach to this valuable site. If you would like to be kept informed of our campaign to protect this field please email friendsofseafordhead@gmail.com.
Celebrating Seaford 