233:, its biodiversity and cultural heritage, to public amenity and the town’s drinking water supply. It is vital that ownership and management rest with... the democratic, publicly accountable local authority for Eastbourne... complying with the words and spirit of the 1926 Eastbourne Corporation Act. We strongly recommend that the Council rethinks its policy, looks more closely at the range of ecosystem services that the Eastbourne Downland generates and sets out a renewed vision for its Downs in harmony with its people. This should respect the fact that the land is held in trust by the Council on behalf of the people of Eastbourne. If you take this approach we will be more than happy to work with you, in partnership, to maximise the benefits from public land ownership; you can be assured that this would be a most popular move, applauded by the people of Eastbourne."
49:
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working age." The ultimate aim of the centre is "to help students to increase their independent living skills as well as their ability to enter the real job market". The hotel was once a Priory, reportedly connected with The
Benedictine Abbey of Grestein and once owned by Robert de Norton, the first Norman Lord of Pevensey and half-brother of
426:
A skeleton was discovered during archaeological work in 1953. It has been dated as belonging to a person who lived in the Roman era, in approximately 245 AD. During a 2014 heritage project, it was further discovered that the skeleton had genetic heritage from sub-Saharan Africa. Jo Seaman, heritage
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In the late 1990s, "practical management of the land carried out by the
Council's Downland Ranger Service and by various contractors who supervised by the Ranger Service. The Council also an Arboriculturist Officer to supervise the management of the 250 acres of deciduous woodland mostly on the
398:
The estate contains 32 separately designated
Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs). The four farms contain a large proportion of those SAMs including the most important of all: the Combe Hill Neolithic Causewayed Camp, as well as the much-researched Bullock Down prehistoric field system, the Eastdean
474:
filmed the
Downland Ranger for an international newsreel in 1949. In the item, Constable Henry Poole and his horse Thomas are shown to leave a stable at a Downs Police Station operated by Eastbourne County Borough Police. He is depicted later, variously: warning children not to sit on the edge of
454:
According to the
Eastbourne Downland Management Plan 2015–22, Appendix A, authored by Eastbourne Borough Council on 8 May 2015, the management of the Estate is also "influenced" by the Eastbourne Downland Forum. The Forum was created in the 1990s, as a means for stakeholders to meet and advise on
195:
Mr J Abady, Learned
Counsel for Eastbourne Corporation, giving evidence: "The Corporation's desire, and I do not know that anybody questions it, is to preserve that beauty spot, to preserve it in its existing condition without being fenced in or ploughed up or built upon or dealt with in any way
156:
Chalk Farm includes a hotel and learning disabilities centre. The Centre provides: "realistic training and work experience within the setting of a fully functioning hotel... for adults with learning disabilities, when they leave full-time education for adults with learning disabilities of any
253:
said on 7 March 2017: "We believe that this is a good decision for the farmers, for the environment, for the people of
Eastbourne and for the National Park. The SDNPA will seek to work in partnership with... stakeholders to improve Eastbourne’s gateway to the National Park and to create an
427:
officer at
Eastbourne Borough Council was quoted as reporting: "We know this lady was around 30 years old , grew up in the vicinity of what is now East Sussex, ate a good diet of fish and vegetables, her bones were without disease and her teeth were in good condition."
217:
On 30 January 2017, Dr Tony
Whitbread, Chair of the South Downs Network, an "independent, voluntary network of conservation, environmental and community organisations with an interest in the South Downs", published an open letter on the Network's behalf, addressed to
199:
Examination of the Mayor, Alderman
Charles Knight, before the same Select Committee: "It is the deliberate intention of the Corporation, in promoting this clause, to secure the public the free and open use of the Downs in perpetuity?" The Mayor replied: "Absolutely."
229:"We... urge you to stop the proposed sale... comprising three-quarters of the Eastbourne Downland Estate. This land is an invaluable public asset for the people of Eastbourne, for the local area and visitors from further afield. It has great value for its rich
208:
In 2017, hundreds of concerned Eastbourne residents campaigned and marched for the continued public ownership of the Estate. Public pressure led to a policy change by Eastbourne Borough Council, cancelling the planned sale of the four farms within the estate.
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Remains of flint flakes, hand tools and metal making have been found and studied on the areas now known as Bullock Down and Cornish Farms. Flints were selected to make Neolithic axes between 8500 and 4000BCE. There was a flint mine on Wilmington Hill.
411:
There are three ‘settlement’ sites and a causewayed enclosure at Combe Hill (identified by Musson in 1950). Most of the sites are artefacts find-spots and although one cremation site (Drewett 1982) and two inhumations (Ray 1909) are recorded.
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which would affect the general amenities. I do not think there is any question about that. The land in question consists of 4,100 acres. We want to ensure that the character of the land is preserved as it is at present."
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Neither minutes of its meetings, nor records of those in attendance, are published. There is no record of the Eastbourne Downland Forum influencing the Downland management, or even issuing a recommendation or guidance.
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The Estate is home to several designated Plant Important Areas, in recognition of the variety and ecological value of plant life in the area. At a marine level, these include areas with rich populations of algae.
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The chalk aquifer underneath the Downland Estate is part of a larger natural water supply, that provides drinking water for 700,000 in the region. The Eastbourne Downland Estate falls into a government-designated
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176:
The purchase was completed in 1929, with tax money being transferred to two major local aristocratic landowning families for the land, sold at market rates. The amount paid was £91,291, 1s, 7d.
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The farmland is divided into four farms: Bullock Down Farm, Chalk Farm, Black Robin Farm and Cornish Farm. The farmers pay rent to the people of Eastbourne through Eastbourne Borough Council.
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173:. The new law empowered the local authority in the area of the Eastbourne Downland Estate, to increase local taxation to fund a compulsory purchase of the land comprising the Estate.
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As of 2016, the management of the Eastbourne Downland Estate is the overall responsibility of Eastbourne Borough Council. The Council delegate day-to-day responsibility to
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and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee has identified this area as being at high risk of damage and degradation due to the presence of sensitive habitats and species.
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Eastbourne Borough Council publish an Eastbourne Downland Management Plan periodically, intended as a summary of goals and strategies for land management of the Estate.
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and the surrounding farmland, which led to a public campaign and Act of Parliament in 1926. It is currently owned and managed, on behalf of the public, by
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1,199 hectares (2,960 acres) is farmed, while 490 hectares (1,200 acres) is open public access land, including the land around the internationally famed
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would serve as a replacement. The Authority was not founded until 2009 and replacement Eastbourne Downland Ranger posts were not created, as of 2016.
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internationally respected exemplar of chalk grassland restoration. This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for this precious downland."
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326:. This designation is for coast that "is of particular natural beauty or importance and is managed to preserve this largely undeveloped beauty".
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MP said on 8 March 2017: "The argument around protection of the land had not been won and the consultation with local people was deeply flawed."
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cliffs at Beachy Head; rounding up cattle; saving the lives of a ewe and a pigeon; putting out a small fire; receiving a note from a shepherd.
874:
http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/residents/leisure-and-events/parks/trees-and-downland/downland/downland-working-farms-proposal/?entryid108=253578
581:
http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/residents/leisure-and-events/parks/trees-and-downland/downland/downland-working-farms-proposal/?entryid108=253357
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The area west of Beachy Head was designated as an inshore marine conservation zone on 21 November 2013, titled Beachy Head West.
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Prehistoric and medieval environment of Old Town, Eastbourne, Sussex Archaeology Collections 147 (2007), accessed on 12 May 2017
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A new policy announcement was made at the start of March 2017, with the sale of the Downland Estate said to be "off the table".
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group), who act as land management agents, and to the four working farmers for various processes of land management work.
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There have been calls from wildlife groups, politicians and local fishermen to create a Beachy Head East zone.
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The Downland Ranger Service was closed in 2008 by Eastbourne Borough Council. The Council argued that the
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Eastbourne Downland Management Plan 2015-22, Eastbourne Borough Council (2015), accessed on 12 May 2017
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For most of the 20th Century frontline Estate management was delegated to a Downland Ranger Service.
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Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), designated by the Countryside Commission on 22 June 1965.
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in 2014, funds are transferred from central government to help maintain and improve the Estate.
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789:"Eastbourne BC decide not to sell downland farms. - South Downs National Park Authority"
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was created, including the Eastbourne Downland Estate. The Park is managed by the
322:), designated the coastal part of the Estate the country's first ever stretch of
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Here are notable extracts from the detailed minutes of evidence given before a
219:
916:"Beachy Head East recommended Marine Conservation Zone - The Wildlife Trusts"
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As part of the Rural Development Programme for England, which replaced the
111:
126:. It was bought by the public, following threats to the beauty spots of
715:"Hundreds Protest Against Eastbourne Downland Farms Sale - CPRE Sussex"
684:"Town centre march against council sale of Eastbourne's downland farms"
123:
886:"Marine conservation zone 2013 designation: Beachy Head West - GOV.UK"
947:"Beachy Head East Marine Conservation Zone Overdue Says Durling"
622:
593:"Chalk Farm Learning Disabilities Centre - East Sussex 1Space"
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The Downland Management Plan and the Eastbourne Downland Forum
169:
The Eastbourne Corporation Act of 1926 was passed in both
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Down field system, and many prehistoric burial barrows.
507:"Legal review of Eastbourne public downland sell-off"
1192:"Loss of Downland Ranger a retrograde step for town"
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within the Eastbourne Downland Estate. They include
745:"Write now: Selling Eastbourne Downs - CPRE Sussex"
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334:The Eastbourne Downland Estate was included in the
85:
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58:
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819:"Eastbourne MP speaks out on cancelled farms sale"
1092:"Centuries old Beachy Head Lady's face revealed"
386:(RIGS), a designation given for its value to
8:
1011:handsoffoursussexcountryside.blogspot.co.uk
318:The Countryside Commission (predecessor to
378:Regionally Important Geomorphological Site
28:
759:"Downland sale off after public backlash"
479:Eastbourne Downland eastern escarpment."
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1067:: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
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566:: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
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548:from the original on 30 September 2017
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1172:from the original on 6 September 2017
1142:from the original on 18 November 2016
1017:from the original on 15 November 2016
987:from the original on 6 September 2017
957:from the original on 6 September 2017
926:from the original on 6 September 2017
694:from the original on 25 February 2017
603:from the original on 6 September 2017
7:
1049:from the original on 11 January 2017
1007:"Protest against downland sell-off!"
769:from the original on 4 February 2022
721:from the original on 26 October 2017
513:from the original on 7 November 2021
384:Regionally Important Geological Site
275:Sites of Special Scientific Interest
269:Sites of Special Scientific Interest
245:Responses to March 2017 announcement
57:
1102:from the original on 1 January 2018
484:South Downs National Park Authority
308:South Downs National Park Authority
264:Conservation projects and standards
251:South Downs National Park Authority
95:South Downs National Park Authority
366:Countryside Stewardship Agreements
330:Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
25:
829:from the original on 8 March 2017
799:from the original on 30 July 2017
249:Margaret Paren, the Chair of the
896:from the original on 5 July 2017
855:from the original on 5 June 2017
664:from the original on 9 June 2017
633:from the original on 11 May 2021
47:
41:V (protected landscape/seascape)
505:Andydharma (16 December 2016).
68:
372:Countryside Stewardship Scheme
237:U-turn on sale of Estate farms
114:at the easternmost end of the
1:
1162:"Entertainments & Events"
273:There are several designated
73:Bought for the public in 1929
416:Roman era: Beachy Head Lady
1240:
823:www.eastbourneherald.co.uk
688:www.eastbourneherald.co.uk
597:www.eastsussex1space.co.uk
455:management of the Estate.
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224:Eastbourne Borough Council
132:Eastbourne Borough Council
108:Eastbourne Downland Estate
91:Eastbourne Borough Council
32:Eastbourne Downland Estate
304:South Downs National Park
302:On 12 November 2009, the
213:Lobbying against the sale
116:South Downs National Park
46:
36:
1224:Geography of East Sussex
951:www.eastbournebuzz.co.uk
342:Marine Conservation Zone
180:Select Committee Hearing
53:Beachy Head from the air
977:"Important Plant Areas"
463:Downland Ranger Service
292:Nitrate Vulnerable Zone
920:www.wildlifetrusts.org
627:www.chalkfarmldc.co.uk
281:, designated in 1986.
165:1926 Act of Parliament
1132:"Sussex Downs Ranger"
849:"Downland Management"
793:www.southdowns.gov.uk
382:The Estate is also a
159:William the Conqueror
148:Belle Tout Lighthouse
1136:www.britishpathe.com
1013:. 10 November 2016.
394:Archaeological sites
390:and earth heritage.
357:Plant Important Area
171:Houses of Parliament
1200:. 22 February 2008.
1098:. 1 February 2014.
437:Strutt & Parker
86:Governing body
1166:www.eastbourne.org
945:Williams, Sharon.
204:2017 possible sale
1197:Eastbourne Herald
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16:(Redirected from
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258:Caroline Ansell
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658:"South Downs"
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1174:. Retrieved
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623:"Chalk Farm"
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144:Beachy Head
128:Beachy Head
120:East Sussex
70:Established
1213:Categories
890:www.gov.uk
637:4 February
490:References
472:Pathé News
441:Christie's
431:Management
220:David Tutt
63:South East
981:Plantlife
763:The Argus
439:(part of
192:in 1926:
89:Farmers,
81:1 million
65:, England
1170:Archived
1140:Archived
1100:Archived
1096:BBC News
1063:cite web
1044:Archived
1015:Archived
985:Archived
955:Archived
924:Archived
894:Archived
853:Archived
827:Archived
797:Archived
767:Archived
719:Archived
692:Archived
662:Archived
631:Archived
601:Archived
562:cite web
543:Archived
511:Archived
470:British
138:Land Use
112:downland
78:Visitors
59:Location
1106:22 June
188:of the
124:England
1176:12 May
1146:12 May
1053:12 May
1021:16 May
991:12 May
961:11 May
930:11 May
900:11 May
859:11 May
833:12 May
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773:11 May
725:12 May
698:11 May
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