THERE were celebrations yesterday after Eastbourne Borough Council announced it was to cancel its selling off of nearby downland.

Council leader David Tutt had previously said the sale was necessary to continue to fund frontline services while battling cuts to their central Government grant.

Following a huge public backlash he decided to let taxpayers have their say. And they overwhelmingly called on the council to protect the downland.

It was a difficult call for the council to make.

After all, as a result the council will need to find the estimated £30 million elsewhere from future budgets.

If not then frontline services will be hit.

But the council was right to protect the downland.

Yes, finances are tight and everyone is feeling the strain.

But once the land is sold, it is sold. And there is no guarantee the local authority would ever get it back.

The council also deserves praise for listening to the community – the taxpayers who will be the ones most affected by this.

The local authority decided to get the opinions of residents and they took action on following the response.

Too often council bosses plough ahead with whatever they have planned without taking notice of the very people they represent.

Eastbourne residents and Sussex environmental groups put up a good fight and made their voices heard.

It is not going to be easy going forward but it looks as if Eastbourne Borough Council has got this one right.

Well done to all involved.