Let me start by saying that I of course have an interest. My house overlooks the beautiful Camelsdale recreation ground. So every morning when I get up I can look out over our fence and see the ground, the trees, early morning dog walkers, joggers or wildlife. But this site isn't about me or my family, it's actually about preserving a vital part of our community.
Chichester District Council is under pressure from the government to build more homes, as are all local authorities in the South and South East. It has, according to press reports decided that building on Camelsdale recreation ground (the Rec) is a possible option. Some reports suggest that as many as fifty, that's 50 houses could be built here. Everyone understands that people want to live in this part of Sussex. It's beautiful, close to London and the coast, affluent and so on. Changing population trends such as many more single people as well as young people trying to get on to the housing ladder mean that the demand for housing is increasing.
But Camelsdale has done, and is doing its bit. In the last few years we have seen brownfield sites developed, infill housing and higher density housing built in the village. We've also felt the effects of great pressure on the roads and utilities as a result. But the idea of concreting over a much loved recreation ground is a step too far. Here's why.
It's a greenfield site. That means it's not been built on before and there are still many brownfield sites available.
Most importantly it's a vital part of our community. It's a green 'lung', a space where children play, dogs are walked, sports enjoyed, teenagers hang out, people meet and talk - all the things which form part of a community's social glue. To destroy the Rec would be to start killing Camelsdale.
Wildlife needs it. Kingfishers have reappeared by the stream, Owls hunt and hoot at night, it's a corridor for deer, badgers, foxes and other creatures making their way to and from the woods.
It's a sump. By that I mean that runoff water from rainfall makes the lower part of the rec muddy which is what prevents our gardens and roads flooding. Building over it would increase the risk of flooding.
I could go on but I won't on this post. Please please please, if you want to save the rec for our children and their children and for all the people of our community and all the people who visit this lovely place from outside the village add your comments to this site. I'll also put up pictures of the rec and information about how to protest as more info becomes available. I'll also make sure that this site becomes a conduit to the councils, both Parish and District. This isn't the only way to make our protest known - write letters, collar councillors and our MP, sign petitions and come to the meeting at Camelsdale Church on the 31st of January either at 4 - 6 p.m. or 7 - 9 to learn more about the 'options'.
If you want to leave a comment - fire away, but please no swearing or carpet-chewing and slagging off the council. The more comments and support the better. Let's roll.
PS, If you're wondering why this post is signed by Drugsblogger it's because I have another blog under that name and I'm Chief Exec of a drug treatment charity.
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