Threat lifted over future of South Downs ancient road

Concern has turned to delight over the future of an ancient road in the South Downs National Park.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Britain’s oldest national conservation group - The Open Spaces Society - raised concerns last month when plans were revealed to build a campsite at Coldwaltham near Pulborough which, it said, would threaten nearby Colebrook Lane.

And it criticised West Sussex County Council - which is responsible for public highways - for saying that the ancient road, Colebrook Lane, was a ‘permissive path.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But now the society says that it is ‘delighted’ after the withdrawal of a planning application to build the campsite.

Colebrook Lane, Coldwaltham SUS-200518-125429001Colebrook Lane, Coldwaltham SUS-200518-125429001
Colebrook Lane, Coldwaltham SUS-200518-125429001

The society originally objected to the development arguing that it conflicted with the purposes of the national park and would have had ‘an adverse impact on people’s recreational enjoyment of the area and on its natural beauty.’

It drew attention to the threat to the adjoining Colebrook Lane, an unmade public road, ‘the character of which’, it said, ‘would have been destroyed by making it fit for frequent vehicular use.’

Society spokesman Hugh Craddock said: “We are relieved that the applicant has seen sense and withdrawn this damaging and controversial application.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We hope that this peaceful part of the national park is now safe from adverse development.”

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.