Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Are the 'private land' signs erected by Homes in England in Ifield Brook Meadows legitimate?

There are a number of reasons why the ‘Private Land’ signs, erected by a Government property developer in Ifield Brook Meadows have been vandalised [‘Homes England spent thousands on replacing and repairing vandalised signs in Crawley, new figures show’, Crawley Observer-Sussex World, May 19].

A Homes England ‘Private Land’ sign

Dear Editor 

There are a number of reasons why the ‘Private Land’ signs, erected by a Government property developer in Ifield Brook Meadows have been vandalised [‘Homes England spent thousands on replacing and repairing vandalised signs in Crawley, new figures show’, Crawley Observer-Sussex World, May 19].

Crawley Millennium Greenway in Ifield Brook Meadows Local Green Space
Crawley Millennium Greenway in Ifield Brook Meadows Local Green Space Credit: Screenshot

One reason why is that many within the local community question the legitimacy of ugly ‘Private Land’ signs being erected, by a taxpayer-funded government housing agency, in a beautiful public area which Crawley Borough Council has designated a Local Green Space [LGS] - one step down from a Local Nature Reserve [LNR].

Ifield Brook Meadows in the geographical centre of the ancient Parish of Ifield (outlined in black)
Ifield Brook Meadows in the geographical centre of the ancient Parish of Ifield (outlined in black) Credit: Map created by Ian Mulcahy

Another reason why is that the Crawley Millennium Greenway - which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year - runs straight through the ‘hidden gem’ of Ifield Brook Meadows where these ‘Private Land’ signs have been controversially erected without public consultation.

Homes England logo
Homes England logo Credit: HM Government

Yours sincerely

Richard W. Symonds

The Ifield Society - ‘Save Our Ancient Parish’ 

2 Lychgate Cottages

Ifield Street, Ifield Village

Crawley, West Sussex

RH11 0NN