The Benfield Valley area is in the west of the city on its northern outskirts, between Hangleton and north Portslade.
The site known as Benfield Valley is located between the Old Shoreham Road, the A27 by-pass and the A293 Hangleton Link Road. It forms a green wedge which stretches from the urban area to the south up to a border with the A27 and South Downs National Park to the north.
Parts of the site are used for formal and informal recreation. The northern part of the valley is currently used as a footgolf course.
The Sainsburys superstore and car park is located towards the south of the valley, with a recreation ground including playing pitches at the very southern end. Greenleas recreation ground and Hove Park School are located to the east. There are public rights of way across the valley.
Benfield Barn is located towards the north of the valley and is a grade II listed building. The Barn together with the historic outbuildings and flint walls in the vicinity of the Barn comprise the Benfield Barn Conservation Area.
The northern part of Benfield Valley, north of Hangleton Lane, also lies within an archaeologically sensitive area, where historic remains may exist.
Much of the Valley is designated as Local Green Space and a Local Wildlife Site.
Although it is often referred to as ‘Benfield Valley nature reserve’, much of the valley has what is known as a Local Wildlife Site planning designation. The designation recognises the importance of wildlife and nature conservation in this area and means that any development would have to ensure that any harmful impacts on nature can be reduced or “mitigated”, as well as providing appropriate biodiversity net gains.
The valley is also designated as a ‘Local Green Space’. This is a specific national planning designation which provides special protection for green areas demonstrated to be of particular importance to local communities. There needs to be very special circumstances for any development to be allowed within a Local Green Space, for example where the overall public benefits would outweigh any harm.
Local Green Spaces are covered by City Plan Part 2: policy DM38.
Benfield Valley has its own special area policy as part of City Plan Part Two.
See map below to locate the site designated as ‘Benfield Valley’ under Policy SA7 of the Brighton & Hove City Plan Part Two.
Benfield Hill, which is north of the A27 Bypass and within the South Downs National Park, is the only designated Nature Reserve in the immediate area.