OUR downland is much loved and these farms up for sale have been in Eastbourne council’s possession for nearly a century, so their sale is clearly of interest to local people.

That interest is increasingly being expressed as opposition to those plans.

Whatever the merit in the council’s plans for those sale proceeds, whatever the strength of argument on established environmental protections, including public right of way, all the while this “for ever” decision on the farms is not put to Eastbourne residents it will suffer from a democratic deficit. That needs to happen. If we can consult on polling districts, we can consult on legacy farmland.

The decision on farmland is irreversible and is arguably, in financial terms, one of the most significant ever to be undertaken. There is clearly a great deal of – and growing – concern as more people become aware of the proposed sale and so I ask the council to engage with residents on this and start a consultation on its plans.

I certainly do not criticise the council for looking at the sale of the farms because it wants to raise funds but concerns over future protections of the land and planning issues need to be satisfied and public support won.

It may be that a sale is the best way forward but for too many people that is presently difficult to see. Knowing more of the council’s ambitions for prospective sale proceeds would help but ultimately a consultation, with everyone having their say, will give the whole issue the clarity it needs. Then we can move forward.

Caroline Ansell is the Conservative MP for Eastbourne