I AM outraged at the Conservative-led East Sussex County Council’s plans to sell off prime Sussex beauty spots.

I was active in the dual campaigns to save precious downland from sale in Eastbourne and Brighton.

Coming so soon after Conservative councillors backed the campaigners responsible for forcing U-turns in Brighton and Eastbourne on the planned sales of publicly owned Sussex downland, these proposals represent both the height of hypocrisy and an outrageous breach of trust.

It beggars belief that it is the Conservatives, who opposed the downland sales in Eastbourne and accused the local council of failing to listen to the people, who now plan to do much the same at a county council level.

The land under threat includes iconic beauty spots such as the Seven Sisters, Camber Sands and Weir Wood Local Nature Reserve.

The campaigns against the downland sell-offs in Eastbourne and Brighton were organised, passionate and energetic; they demonstrated the deep connection communities have with their local landscape.

And now, with barely enough time to draw their breath, we will see these dedicated citizens come together again to fight the latest plans to sell off parts of our precious countryside.

Ultimately, of course, this is about austerity and ideologically-driven cuts by a central Government intent on ravaging this country.

No doubt, there will be more battles to save our precious countryside from private ownership.

  • Keith is Green MEP for the South East of England