The council’s Policy Review Panel has reviewed proposed sales of two Downland sites at Poynings and Plumpton Hill and made an interim recommendation that they should not be sold at this time.
In making their interim recommendation, councillors looked at the council’s approach to policy on Downland sales and heard evidence from expert witnesses.
The sale of the sites was due to generate an estimated £360,000, half of which would have been set aside to support the Stanmer Park Restoration Project. The panel looked at the funding strategy for the Stanmer Park Restoration Project and their view was that, as the fundraising strategy for this project is forecast to overachieve its target, the plans could continue without needing to sell the two sites.
The cross party working panel will meet for two further meetings to complete their review of the city's Urban and Rural Asset Management Policy.
The panel’s work includes hearing further evidence from local stakeholders and experts before reporting back with all their recommendations to May’s Policy, Resources & Growth Committee where the final decisions will be made.