Video on allotments and their ecology as presented by Burgess Hill Allotments Association at their inaugural meeting on 9/10/2023. Video by Burgess Hill Allotments Association with Burgess Hill Together. The town should not face losing any one of its allotment sites. The loss to community and wildlife would be devastating. It is not all doom and gloom as there are opportunities for enhancing allotments old and new and for considering new allotments in suitable and ethical places rather than larger ones that could be a lot more intrusive with regards to both local residents and wildlife. This does of course hit on the unfortunate situation at the moment regarding the Chanctonbury site but as with overdevelopment in general we try to stay positive and see this as opportunities to learn from past mistakes, suggest ways to better protect these spaces and monitor any developments as closely as we can. Allotments are essential community assets and in a cost of living crisis serve to highlight both their community and wellbeing value and the potential for these pockets of green in and around the town to enhance biodiversity and encourage us to work better with wildlife. As MSDC have suggested a large site to replace the Chanctonbury site, Burgess Hill Together have put forward their "Micro-Allotments" initiative that suggests several smaller potential locations (some being more suitable and ideal than others), particularly taking inspiration from the town's smallest site of 13 plots Eastdale, in order to highlight that this focus opens more doors and would have a less noticeable impact on local residents and the green circle. Allotments can be used to better enhance wildlife on what is already little more than an empty green, but situating a large allotment site on an already well-established meadow around the perimeter of town is another matter. Valuable community spaces and tranquil retreats, the town should be retaining these sites, not worrying about losing them, and the potential for additional sites should take impact on the environment and residents into account. We have options to seriously consider as laid out in the video.

🌳🐾 URGENT COMMUNITY UPDATE 🐾🌳 🔍 Hey Burgess Hill! 📢 Our town's cherished green spaces are facing an imminent threat, and we need YOUR attention! 🚨 A recent landmark study confirms a continued decline in the UK's wildlife, putting us at risk of losing 16% of our diverse species. 🌍 📹 Watch our eye-opening 5-minute video exposing the harsh reality: instead of safeguarding our green havens, our councils are are in fact complicit in paving the way for Burgess Hill's destruction. 🏡🌿 🌳 The iconic area south of Folders Land, once deemed untouchable, is under threat. Known as SA13, this rewilded haven, home to countless wildlife, is facing displacement and tree felling for an unnecessary 260-house development. 🦔🌲 👀 Pause the video in key moments to delve into the documents revealing the legal yet ethically questionable tactics involving "corporate donations" by developers, even backed by our own council. 😡 This coercive strategy is jeopardizing the very essence of our beloved town. 🤝 Join us, the Burgess Hill Residents Association, in raising our voices against this encroachment on our green legacy! 🌍✊ Together, let's ensure Burgess Hill remains a vibrant, nature-rich haven for generations to come. 🌈🦋 #SaveOurSpaces #ProtectBurgessHill #CommunityUnity