Share your stories of Sussex ‘edgelands’ 

The countryside on the edges of our towns and cities is some of the most pressured and overlooked land in Sussex. Yet these fields, farms, paths and scrublands hold extraordinary potential.  

can play a vital role in tackling the nature and climate crises and offer much-needed access to green spaces. But as demands on land intensify, the countryside next door is too often under threat. 

That is why we are backing the national CPRE charity’s new On the Edge campaign.  

On the Edge 

On the Edge calls for everyone to stand behind a shared ambition: that every town and city is surrounded by thriving and protected countryside. The first step is to recognise the value of these edgelands. CPRE has set up an interactive map where you can share your stories about the edgelands near you. 

The map also offers you the chance to read the stories submitted by other users. There are tales of May Day gatherings at Hollingbury Hill Fort, restorative walks in the South Downs National Park and inspiring times with children on the Arundel wetlands. 

Many of the stories share common themes – treasured childhood memories, respite from the pressure of everyday life and the importance of preserving these spaces for future generations.  

What we want 

To help protect our edgelands, CPRE is calling on government, planners and communities to act across four areas: 

1. Value our edgelands: The fringes of our towns and cities need better planning, stronger protections and genuine investment not development by default. 

1. Fund and support edgeland farmers: Small-scale farmers and growers on the edges of towns need bespoke support to serve their communities. 

1. Give communities a stake: The people who live closest to these spaces know them best. Communities should have a real stake in how their local edgelands are used, protected and shaped. 

1. Protect our Green Belt: The Green Belt is being undermined and the most damaging aspects of current grey belt policy risk making things worse. 

Care and imaginative solutions 

The countryside isn’t always postcard landscapes. Often its open paddocks, scrubby margins alive with birds and insects, or the river path that fills us with joy and wonder.   

Whether formally designated or not, every town has its own edgelands. We believe these landscapes deserve more attention, care and imaginative solutions. With collaboration, long-term thinking and a shared sense of stewardship, edgelands can become more resilient and more welcoming.  

Across Sussex, people are already showing what’s possible. Volunteers restore hedgerows and maintain footpaths. Farmers are finding ways to grow food alongside wildlife. Neglected corners are being transformed into places of abundance. 

This is what hope on our doorstep looks like. Now, we need to come together and ensure every edgeland is recognised and protected. 

Add your name 

More than 13,000 people have already added their name to the On the Edge campaign. By adding your name, you’re backing a future where the countryside next door is treated as essential – not expendable.  

Add your name to the On the Edge campaign here. 

Read Nancy’s full column in The Argus here.