The Cissbury Ring. Photo: R H

A council in West Sussex is to look again at its decision to sell off land in the new South Downs national park after an outcry from residents and campaign groups.

Worthing Borough Council had decided to dispose of the land near Cissbury ring after the death of the tenant farmer. But the council  announced it would review the move after submissions from the Open Spaces Society and members of the pressure group Stop Cissbury Sell Off.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the borough council said: “Local concern for council-owned agricultural land being sold off near to Cissbury Ring has been taken on board by the council’s leader and cabinet member for resources who have agreed to review the decision made by the council in 2008 to market the freehold of two parcels of council-owned agricultural land at Mount Carvey and Tenants Hill.

“The review will consider new information in relation to covenants and other options for the future of the land.”

The statement went on to say a meeting would be set up between the South Downs Joint Committee and the National Trust to discuss future action. The land has been temporarily taken off the market.

Steve Waight, cabinet member for resources and business modernisation, said: “Because the decision was made a year ago and because of public concern we feel it right to review the decision made over a year ago in order to make sure we take everything into account before a final decision is made.”

A spokesperson for Stop Cissbury Sell Off welcomed the decision, saying: “Worthing Council leaders’ decision to review the sale of their council-owned downland around Cissbury Ring is very welcome.

“Worthing people have given a rapid and overwhelming response to the sudden discovery that their own Council was about to sell off the borough’s largest and most important green space. The announcement of this review is a tribute to their efforts.

“It must be stressed, however, that the announcement of this review does not reverse the Council decision to sell this downland. It merely temporarily withdraws the land from the market whilst the review takes place.

“We intend to redouble our efforts to secure the future of this land within local public ownership and to make sure Worthing councillors and officials remember the public purposes for which this land was acquired.

“The responsible outcome of this review must be made clear. That is, the council must enhance this downland green space in partnership with the National Trust and the coming national park authority, and take advantage of the public budgets which are available for such purposes.”

The group urged supporters to join the planned protest meeting and walk this Saturday. The event will start at 11am at the Coombe Rise car park in the Findon Valley.