Keep the Ridge Green SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK Members of :- South Downs Campaign (SDC), Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT)
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Aerial view showing Green Ridge with Brighton City boundary to the south
WELCOME TO GREEN RIDGE This attractive public open space now forms part of the boundary to the new South Downs National Park and is situated north of the built up area of the city of Brighton and Hove. It is also a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI). The Green, as open downland, once formed a corner of West Blatchington Estate and Coney Hill Woodland walk was a sheep grazing slope connected to Patcham Place Estate. It is owned by the City Council who acquired it in the 1930’s along with many other urban fringe sites. Its most significant feature is the 360-degree view over the Downs, Town and Sea. Apart from our own Windmill, we can catch a glimpse of Jack & Jill in the distance. Construction of the Brighton & Hove By-Pass meant part of the Green was lost to a re-aligned Mill Road, so a band of 12 local residents met in June 1991 to ensure its survival, and secured Coney Wood as replacement land from the Council, which now forms the present Linear Park. We are now established as one of the longest running Local Community Wildlife Groups in Brighton, and have liaised with the Council, during times of great cutbacks, to secure negotiated mown paths and replant trees in the ancient SAXON boundary hedgerow, which runs along the ends of gardens in Green Ridge. making it the natural National Park Boundary! With the new millennium we constructed the Dew Pond to add a new dimension, and the provision of dog litterbins has helped address the nuisance of dog fouling. Michael Meacher, when he was Minister for the Environment, came and watched local schoolchildren planting trees in December 1996. We have also created a copse behind the Windmill and opened up a path down through the woods to Patcham Place, entry to which is through the kissing gate near the mill. We are noted in the Brighton & Hove local plan as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI, No.161, Grid Ref. TQ 291 086). Our original management plan is due for reassessment so with the help of the Countryside Service we will be drawing up a new one We would appreciate extra support and hope to keep you informed of future developments, events and workdays. Our aim is to preserve and enhance this area for posterity! For further details please contact Brighton & Hove City Council, Countryside Rangers. Tel. 01273 292140		Patcham Windmill Marbled white butterfly Melanargia galathea, restricted to southern England but frequently seen flying on the Downs. Orange –tip Butterfly
PARTNER ORGANISATIONS Benfield Wildlife and Conservation Group Brighton & Hove City Council "City Wildlife" Eco-Logically		CONTACTS General e-mail:info@keeptheridgegreen.com Chairman: Ron Murray, 88 Bramble Rise, Brighton BN1 5GF Secretary: Maureen Holt     26 Green Ridge, Brighton BN1 5LL     Tel. 01273 552438
View from Green Ridge, north to the Downs above Pycombe		Pond at Green Ridge, in March 2005 storm
	View from Green Ridge looking south over Brighton & Hove City to the sea
Hedge laying on the Green Hilary Benn with SDNP signed document
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Site last amended Aug. 2010 site created "Eco-Logically"