Almost 200 people turned out to support a campaign to save Benfield Valley from housing despite the rain yesterday (Sunday 16 October).
They were addressed by the Labour MP for Hove, Peter Kyle, and one of the organisers of the campaign, Kayla Potter-Jones, an ecologist.
The protest was organised days before Brighton and Hove City Council is due to approve a document known as City Plan Part Two which earmarks part of the valley for housing.
Supporters of the Benfield Valley Project also plan to gather outside Hove Town Hall on Thursday (20 October) when the City Plan is to due to approved at a meeting of the full council.
Mr Kyle said afterwards: “We need new homes in in our community so kids growing up here can afford to live here into adulthood if that’s what they want.
“But we also need to protect our green spaces too because they are so precious. Once they’re gone, they’re gone forever.
“That’s why I joined Hangleton residents this afternoon to show my support for Benfield Valley remaining a small green spot for families to enjoy.
“The fact that so many amazing dogs were in attendance too shows just how important this kind of space is, especially for pet owners.
“I’ve been your MP long enough for you to know that I don’t oppose development often. In fact, just yesterday I visited the Hove Gardens construction site by Hove station.
“But we need balanced development that keeps the local character intact as communities evolve over time.
“Huge thanks to wonderful campaign organisers Helen Forester, Carla Blackman and Kayla Potter-Jones. This is a campaign that adds up to more than the sum of its parts and I was proud to be a part of it today.”
Conservative councillor Dawn Barnett, above right, who has previously raised the plight of Benfield Valley in the council chamber, also took part.
The organisers said: “Despite the wet weather, it was wonderful to see our local community out in force and demonstrating our love for the Benfield Valley.
“The sheer number of people that turned up to this protest was incredible and surpassed all of our expectations.
What an amazing afternoon! The community clearly loves and cherishes this space. It’s criminal that it has got this far!
The council leased the valley to a company called ‘Benfield Investments Ltd’ – the clue is in the name.
The Boon brothers weren’t buying the lease out of the goodness of their hearts, the investment part is developing the land and making a profit.
It’s almost as if the council has no common sense or fore thought of what consequences their actions will have…