October 20th, 2021.

Lewes Green Party release:



Local Green Party Councillors are urging residents to help them reach their target of 100 letters to Michael Gove, asking him to change a government rule which they say makes greenfield sites vulnerable to major development.

The councilllors say they welcome Boris Johnson's recent announcement that controversial planning reforms will be scrapped, and that new houses 'will not be built on greenfield sites'. But they say the promise means nothing unless the government scraps the current rule introduced in 2018 that says that developers can disregard Local Plans, after just five years.

Councillor Emily O’Brien who is a ward councillor for Ringmer said: “We have seen a flood of applications in areas like Ringmer as a result of this 5-year rule. We have been explaining to residents how they can object to schemes like the Thakeham development, but what we need is for the government to change the rule that is encouraging this to happen.”

Councillor Zoe NIcholson who is leader of Lewes District Council said: “The government has said it will rethink controversial planning proposals. This makes it the perfect opportunity to ask Michael Gove to scrap the five-year rule and save our villages and fields. Over 60 letters have been sent already, from areas affected like Plumpton Green.”


The ‘one click link’ to write a template letter which can then be personalised can be found at https://bit.ly/writetogove.