Council in 'betrayal' row over plans to sell Beachy Head to developers despite locals reaching into their own pockets to save it nearly a century ago 

  • A century ago Eastbourne locals raised £100,000 for land around Beachy Head
  • At the time, the council said it would preserve the land and allow public access 
  • But now Eastbourne Borough Council is considering selling it for £25 million 
  • The land could be built on and opponents have labelled the move as a 'betrayal'

By Alexander Ward For Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

It was the act of public generosity that highlighted the need to preserve England’s green and pleasant land.

But nearly a century after the citizens of Eastbourne clubbed together to stump up £100,000 for a public subscription to buy the farmland around Beachy Head, the council is now planning to sell off the 3,000 acres in a bid to boost its finances.

The farmland, which has been owned by the public since 1929, is being considered for sale for £25 million by Eastbourne Borough Council and has prompted cries of betrayal from the plan’s opponents.

Beachy Head could be sold to developers in a £25 million deal, despite the council saying it would never do so

Beachy Head could be sold to developers in a £25 million deal, despite the council saying it would never do so

At the time of the purchase, the council had said it would preserve ‘in perpetuity’ the rolling chalk downland and continue to allow public access to it.

Arguments made by the outraged opponents of the council’s plan have claimed that the move could lead to the farmland being earmarked for development and that despite the 3,000 acres being part of the South Downs National Park it would be difficult to stop potential owners from building on the land.

Brenda Pollack, of the Keep Our Downs (KODP) public campaign, told the Telegraph: ‘The coastal area around Beachy Head is one of the most beautiful landscapes in England. While the council proposes to retain this narrow coastal strip, the four farms it is proposing to sell, form a highly accessible and important backdrop to this area.

At the time of the purchase, the council had said it would preserve ‘in perpetuity’ the rolling chalk downland and continue to allow public access to it

At the time of the purchase, the council had said it would preserve ‘in perpetuity’ the rolling chalk downland and continue to allow public access to it

‘Although this is farmland, there is a deep concern that remaining fragments of chalk grassland - an internationally rare habitat - will decline. Under public ownership there has been a linking up of chalk grassland areas, safeguarding of archaeological treasures and management which has improved public access.

‘Once in private hands there will be no guarantees on how the land is managed. Despite being in the National Park, piecemeal damage - such as conversion of farm buildings, ploughing grassland, temporary shelters, new fences and farm roads can all work to change the landscape and don’t always require planning permission.’

If residents back the land sale, then it will be offered to local landowners as well as the Chatsworth Estate, and four tenant farmers in the vicinity.

The Belle Tout lighthouse at Beachy Head

The Belle Tout lighthouse at Beachy Head

But some campaigners have voiced concern that the council may try and bully residents into backing the sale.

Simon Boyle, an environmental lawyer and member of KODP, said: ‘They are deliberately using scaremongering tactics by saying that it is a choice between the downs or vital public services. believe that there are alternatives.

‘The council has already raised £5m for Devonshire Park. The private sector should be willing to partner with the council.’

In response the outcry, the council is to hold a public poll and give the residents an opportunity to express their views on the potential sale. Residents will have until March 3 to make their decisions.

In a statement the council told the Telegraph: ‘Contrary to some reports, the farms will remain farms, access across them will remain unchanged, as will the strict protection and controls that are enforced by the South Downs National Park Authority.’ 

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