Centralisation is a ‘terrifying prospect’ for Sussex

Fears countryside and rural voices will get ‘lost in the shuffle’ amid local government reorganisation.

A Sussex charity has said ‘messy’ local government reorganisation risks sidelining the countryside, nature and rural voices.

CPRE Sussex raised concerns after plans for local government reorganisation in Sussex were put on hold pending a central government review.

It said the announcement was the latest in a series of events making the situation ‘increasingly messy and timewasting’.

Nancy Duckels, CPRE Sussex campaigns and communications manager, said: “We believe the new local government structure has the real danger of taking decision-making away from local people. Sussex is a largely rural county, home to rural people with rural needs. If done badly, the new unitary authorities and Sussex mayor, will see distant, largely urban, politicians taking decisions without considering rural communities.”

While plans for four new unitary authorities across Sussex are currently on hold, elections for a new mayor still look set to go ahead in 2028.

The new mayor of Sussex will have significant powers and responsibilities – including welcome powers to plan at a strategic level and join up public transport.

However, CPRE Sussex is concerned the environment will end up at the bottom of the list.

Nancy added: “We know the Sussex countryside is already in danger – from greedy developers, climate change and destructive planning policies. Now, it is even further at risk. Centralising decision making to Sussex urban centres, whilst taking power and choices away from our local communities, is a terrifying prospect. We believe the current plans to create both a mayoral combined county authority and new unitary authorities risk our green spaces, rural voices and countryside getting lost in the shuffle.”

For more information visit cpresussex.org.uk/local-government-reorganisation.