On 1 Apr 2013 at 6:57pm Nevillman wrote:
The field to the west of Landport Bottom has been completely ploughed up. Not even the foootpaths are left. Does anyone know what this is about or who can be contacted for more information? This field is used by many people and is now unusable by anyone
On 1 Apr 2013 at 7:06pm Fell down twice wrote:
No clue. But quite a few bruises from trying to make my way through what I know very well to be the old route of the footpath. Too thick and direction-sense-challenged to go around and had a lunch date with friends in Ditchling. Combined with high, cold winds--not very pleasant. Do hope that they sort out the former right-of-way as is done with many other working fields on OS...
On 2 Apr 2013 at 1:04pm Horsewoman wrote:
Nevillman you can contact Rights of Way Officer at East Sussex County Council - complaints can be made via their website. So sad to see downland ploughed up.
On 2 Apr 2013 at 6:02pm Me wrote:
Farmer Harmer Is not a charmer. 
On 2 Apr 2013 at 6:28pm Annette Curtin-Twitcher wrote:
Is this the field that includes the fenced-off reservoir? If so, it doesn't contain a RoW, but it's access land. Afaik, there's no prohibition on ploughing access land.
I believe Farmer Harmer got into trouble a few years ago for ploughing up part of the water meadows down by the river.
On 3 Apr 2013 at 8:51am Pete wrote:
There's no RoW on the 2 fields that have been ploughed, but, the farmer has left a nice path around the edge of the fields for people to use, which is pretty decent of him I thought.
On 3 Apr 2013 at 10:23am Realist wrote:
by and large, all the farmers north of Lewes look after rights of way brilliantly - in spite of the weather, government and EU. Some rural busy-bodies enjoy farmer bashing, generally based on old- fashioned jealousy, just like the shop-keeper baiting urban whingers!!
On 3 Apr 2013 at 11:01am Nevillman wrote:
Chalk downland is certainly the best for the many people who enjoy using the downs. I was also under the impression that it is a threatened and protected environment. I understand that farmers need to earn a living and the whole business is complicated with subsidies etc but it amazes me that a farmer is able to plough this land up as it has been enjoyed and used by so many people. It surely would not cost a great deal extra to subsidise him to keep it as downland.
On 3 Apr 2013 at 12:18pm Nevil rook wrote:
Hasnt it got something to do with next years 750 annniversary of the Battle of Lewes celebration ?
On 3 Apr 2013 at 12:54pm stevied wrote:
Good old Lewes â?? a farmer ploughs his field and all hell breaks loose. Ancient chalk downland is certainly under threat but, like most of the downland around Lewes, this field has been ploughed before - you could still see the furrow marks in the unploughed bit at the weekend. Okay, so itâ??s a pain to walk round the edge of the field rather than across it but, as previously mentioned, no rights of way are affected and a wide grass strip has been left around the edge. Get over it!
On 5 Apr 2013 at 1:09pm Sarah wrote:
I think the Downs would look nicer how they used to be before forest clearance. Not enough woods around here