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To: Planning Department South Downs National Park Authority

Save the Historic Landscape at Cuckmere Haven

Grant Planning Permission to Cuckmere Haven SOS (charity) so they can make the necessary repairs and improvements to the sea defences protecting the historic Coastguard Cottages and Cable Hut.

Why is this important?

“ It is the one place I know that if you were to sum up the essence of our country I would have no doubt in recommending it to other people. …… it must be preserved. “ Dame Judi Dench 2019

For hundreds of years, the Coastguard Cottages at Cuckmere Haven have framed views across the Downs towards the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head. This world famous iconic view may soon be lost forever.

The seawalls that protect the unique view are under attack from severe storms and rising sea levels, and will not hold for very much longer.. If the seawalls are not repaired and strengthened soon, then one by one the cottages, cable hut, and old sea defences will fall into the sea destroying some of our heritage, the landscape and the world famous view.

An ambitious, community-funded scheme to repair the seawalls and save the cottages, could begin as early as this September 2020 – but only if the South Downs National Park Authority agree.

A planning application has been recently submitted to the SDNPA and now the park authorities must decide what they feel is for the best. The fate of the cottages and this precious part of the coastline could be sealed as early as this summer.

The SDNPA could decide to turn down the application, causing the loss of the cottages and landscape as we know it.. We don’t think this is right. Preserving heritage assets is part of the SDNPA manifesto, and it should be in the National Park's interest to save such a well loved, unique and popular site. Do you agree?

The SDNPA must take account of everyone’s views before making their decision - so your opinion really matters. If you agree that the historic cottages and the view should be saved, please sign our petition, and even better, submit a comment direct to the SDNPA by following the links below.

If you would like to comment on, or find out more about our planning application and how our scheme has been sensitively designed to protect this most precious and unique part of the SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK, please go to:

https://planningpublicaccess.southdowns.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=QC0CVFTU08600 ,

or search for SDNP/20/02390/FUL on the SDNPA planning portal at https://planningpublicaccess.southdowns.gov.uk/online-applications/
you can comment on the application here or alternatively you can send comments to them by post, addressed to SDNPA, South Downs Centre, North Street, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9DH or to [email protected]

More about Cuckmere Haven, it's history, and the campaign can be found at www.cuckmerehavensos.org

Seaford BN25 4AR, UK

Maps © Stamen; Data © OSM and contributors, ODbL

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Updates

2020-07-08 15:44:33 +0100

1,000 signatures reached

2020-07-07 15:05:38 +0100

500 signatures reached

2020-07-05 14:50:56 +0100

100 signatures reached

2020-07-04 20:52:52 +0100

50 signatures reached

2020-07-04 13:39:21 +0100

25 signatures reached

2020-07-04 11:44:14 +0100

10 signatures reached