Part 3: Where to go from here...

When contesting the application, it’s important not to overwhelm yourself with too much information.  Here are some ideas to help you make the most difference:

• Choose the thing that you are most passionate about and use that as a starting point for your opposition e.g. ecology, local air quality, infrastructure concerns, reduced access to high quality green spaces in urban areas, mental health and local green spaces…

• Contact your local councillor and ask them to contest the planning application when it is put in (www.writetothem.com)

• Contact your local MP (use the website above) e.g. Peter Kyle, and ask them to put pressure on the government to do more to safeguard high quality green spaces like the Benfield Valley, which are constantly threatened with development.

• Contact the planning committee - all names and emails are here: https://democracy.brighton-hove.gov.uk/mgCommitteeMailingList.aspx?ID=118 - Ask them to reject any application to develop the Benfield Valley.  Let them know how important it is to have visited the valley and to understand its importance before approving anything (side note: none of the previous planning committee had recently visited the valley before they signed off the CPP2).

• Attend any of our on-site and town hall protests when we share the dates on social media/in our newsletter.  These are lovely community gatherings of local residents who care about the valley and want to turn up to show their support for its protection.

• Join us at one of our community events!  We want to showcase the magic of the Benfield Valley and connect our local community.  Come to one of our litter picks, nature walks or path clearance events and enjoy spending time outside with us.  Ask us questions or share your ideas - we’d love to meet you!  

• Contact us if you run or are part of a school or community group and would like to create a trip to the valley that caters to your learners/members.  We love running activities like net sweeping, nature trails, litter picks and the like so please reach out if you’d like to join us at a time that works for your group.  We also deliver school assemblies!

• Be our eyes and ears!  If you hear anything with regards to the development application or have any knowledge you think might help us in our campaign to safeguard the Benfield Valley, contact us via email on benfieldvalleyproject@gmail.com