We object to the planning application for buildings which would devastate wildlife at Coldean, and we wish to safeguard this essential wildlife habitat and local green space, now and for future generations.

We the undersigned petition Eimear Murphy (planning case officer), Brighton and Hove City Council Planning Committee and Brighton and Hove City Council, to refuse permission for the proposed residential development on land to the east of Coldean Lane, north of Varley Halls and south of the A27 (ref number BH2018/03541), and further please to remove this Coldean site from the list of allocated sites in the Urban Fringe allocations in the City Plan Part 2, and instead designate it a Local Nature Reserve and Local Green Space (as described in the National Planning Policy Framework) as soon as possible, so it remains protected wildlife habitat, now and for future generations.

There are alternative large empty buildings around Brighton (e.g. at Brighton General Hospital) which the council could turn into affordable homes, therefore it's clear that to make affordable homes it is completely unnecessary to build on the green space and wildlife. The land was notified as a Local Wildlife Site in 2017 in recognition of its woodland and grassland habitats. The proposal would mean destroying woodland and felling trees to build a new entrance road which would split the strip of woodland that runs parallel to Coldean Lane in two, with devastating effects on the wildlife. It would also mean building on the field, obliterating lots of wildlife, their homes and foraging ground. The woodland and field include many plant species and are essential habitat for wildlife sandwiched between Varley Halls and very busy, fast roads, many of whom are legally and policy protected species, such as bats, hedgehogs, lizards, slow worms, badgers, foxes, rabbits, butterflies, lots of invertebrates who massively contribute to the environment, and many different birds, including owls, and others. Some of the birds breed and make nests in the trees and on the ground, and 3 (song thrush, tawny owl and dunnock) are listed as having severe red and amber conservation status. The woodland is Priority Habitat Deciduous Woodland and provides critical habitat for wildlife. Splitting the woodland in two would cut vital connectivity and put the wildlife at very high, frequent risk of road traffic accidents.

Localised areas of the field (about 1 hectare of it) have an affinity with Calcareous Grassland, and there is ‘good potential to create new areas of native species rich calcareous grassland where chalk substrates can be exposed and seeded’ (Prelimiary Ecological Appraisal, PJC, 2018). Lowland Calcareous Grassland is a Habitat of Principal Importance and classified as Priority Sussex Habitat. Within Sussex, this type of habitat is mostly found within the South Downs; it has reduced rapidly in recent years and is now only an estimated 3% of the South Downs. The Sussex Biodiversity Partnership aims to maintain and expand the range of Lowland Calcareous Grassland in Sussex. Moreover ‘there is an area of lowland calcareous grassland immediately north of the site’ and ‘any development of this site would also likely result in adverse impacts on any areas of lowland calcareous grassland habitat adjacent to the site, e.g. through increased surface run-off and increased disturbance/tramping/littering from potential increases in recreational use of the area’ (PJC, 2018). So, the proposed development would destroy not only Priority Habitat Deciduous Woodland but also be likely to negatively impact the Lowland Calcareous Grassland (i.e. Habitat of Principal Importance and a Sussex Priority Habitat) on next door land.

Increased vehicle movement and parking on local roads would be expected, and traffic on Coldean Lane would get substantially more clogged up, polluting the air even more and putting human residents, especially school children, at risk. It is well documented that green space is vital for people’s physical and mental health. The visual impact of the proposed buildings would be unpleasant as they would replace a green view of nature with high blocks of flats and concrete. 

Today, wildlife in this very densely urbanised area of the U.K. are increasingly endangered by destruction of their habitats. Globally, land mammal mass is made up of 96% humans and the farmed animals (Attenborough, 2019), and insects and ecosystems who we rely on are massively threatened by climate change, so we must stand up for wildlife now or there will be none left. If we do not, soon it may be many human lives in the UK imperilled due to climate change and because we have not protected wildlife there will no longer be an ecosystem left that can support us. At present, the land provides precious sanctuary for wildlife - this is a space to cherish, protect and stand by. 

Also if you haven't already, please would you consider writing an objection as soon as possible to this application - there's still time! The formal consultation period of 21 days has passed but the planning case officer said they will continue to accept comments until a decision is made, and they advised to comment as soon as possible in order for comments to be fully considered. Comments can be made on the council's planning portal or by e-mailing planning.applications@brighton-hove.gov.uk, reference number BH2018/03541. The earliest possible date it might be determined at planning committee meeting is 12th June, but it could be some while later; the sooner the better for comments.

WildlifeColdean@gmail.com started this petition.