Brighton & Hove Council wants to sell a large chunk of Whitehawk Hill Nature Reserve to property developers, splitting it in two and irreperably damaging the wildlife it is meant to protect and local community
The council is going into business with property developers, the Hyde Group, to build on green spaces across the "Urban Fringe" of Brighton. One of the threatened areas is Whitehawk Hill Nature Reserve.
The council is planning to sell a large chunk of the nature reserve to the new joint venture, and reinvest the money in the joint venture. Time is running out to halt the sale of this precious land.
If the sale isn't stopped, the joint venture will need to submit a planning application, for 5 high-rise blocks plus a car park. Hyde are already working on the application, and resisting it would be the next battle.
The plan is to borrow up to £120 million to finance these destructive projects. City investors are already salivating over the potential profits, but organised community resistance can make it look less attractive.
Whitehawk Hill Nature Reserve is a very ancient and special place, a rare natural habitat, home to many threatened species and a vital green lung for the local community and city
Ancient chalk grassland is internationally important – it is one of Britain’s rarest and richest habitats
The nature reserve support many threatened species including Adonis Blue butterfly and orchids
The hill is a vital green lung within the city and is a popular area for dog walking and nature spotting
Explore the numerous issues the campaign is fighting
