Looking back on 2025

CPRE Sussex Director’s column for West Sussex Gazette, December 2025

As the year draws to a close, I find myself taking stock.

But, if I am honest, much of what has happened over the past 12 months has left me feeling angry and frustrated.

The Sussex countryside is under threat as never before.

The Government is ripping up protections for nature by pushing ahead with the disastrous Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

Precious green spaces are being lost to executive homes which fail to tackle the housing crisis.

Water companies continue to pollute our rivers and beaches.

The second runway at Gatwick has been approved despite climate change being the biggest threat to our countryside.

But, despite these challenges, all is not lost.

At CPRE Sussex we are continuing to defend our countryside and working to shape a greener future for all.

As a charity, we want to see genuinely affordable homes and an increase in housing for social rent.

But caving into the demands of big development corporations does not achieve this.

Throughout the year we have fought alongside local communities to oppose harmful development applications – and we have won.

Victories include refusal of 1,450 homes on farmland in the High Weald National Landscape.

We also celebrated a win for common sense as the appeal for 475 homes which threatened the green gap between Worthing and Ferring was dismissed.

However, CPRE Sussex is about more than just fighting inappropriate developments.

This year has also seen the continued growth of our rooftop solar revolution, as well as our planting and education work.

In May, more than 1,000 people attended our Tree Festival to learn more about the value of trees.

Throughout the year, we have continued to work with community partners to plant new trees across Brighton & Hove.

In September, we launched our latest Hedgerow Heroes campaign on the Manhood Peninsula.

Hedgerow planting takes place from now until March. Visit our website and click on “Find a volunteering role” in the dropdown menu to find out more about how to get involved.

In 2026 we will continue to fight for our precious countryside.

We are backing a Judicial Review into the Gatwick Airport decision.

We are continuing to lobby for a new approach to sewage infrastructure – and for water companies to be held account for pollution.

We are urging Brighton & Hove City Council to ringfence funding for trees.

We will back residents and local councils working to protect their communities from profit-hungry developers.

The Tree Festival and our Countryside Day will also return with more fantastic events, workshops and opportunities to learn – and we will celebrate the centenary of the national CPRE charity.

None of this would be possible without the support of our fantastic staff, trustees, volunteers, members, and supporters.

Thank you for helping us shape a greener future for Sussex.

To find out how to support our work, visit cpresussex.org.uk/get-involved.