CAMPAIGNERS are calling on council bosses to follow in the footsteps of their rural neighbours and put a block on any new developments likely to cause an increase in air pollution.

Wealden District Council has placed a moratorium on any new development within its boundaries that could generate additional traffic in a bid to protect the Ashdown Forest.

Campaigners concerned about the increased traffic from significant housebuilding around Brighton and Hove have welcomed the move and called for it to be considered in more urban areas of Sussex as well.

Brighton and Hove City Council officers said the situation with Wealden’s heathland was not comparable in national planning law.

The new policy in Wealden means planning applications will need to show they will not generate additional vehicle movements to be considered for approval.

It has been introduced to protect the Ashdown Forest which is known to be sensitive to nitrogen dioxide pollution.

The authority will ask developers to offer appropriate compensation measures before allowing development up to the level set out in its draft local plan.

Campaigners have called for a similar moratorium around Brighton and Hove because of the damaging impact poor air quality is having on the health of residents.

Lynne Moss from SAFE (St Aubyns Field Evergreen) said: “This is exactly the kind of thinking we would hope from our councils here, it is a sensible approach.

“The A259 is not capable of meeting the demand that is being created by housing growth. We are living in areas where air quality standards are being exceeded and this is having a damaging effect on the quality of life for residents.

“We have never said we don’t want building anywhere, there is a national crisis, but you have to put the infrastructure in first. It is really refreshing to see what Wealden District Council is doing in taking up the model and turning it on its head.”

A council spokesman said the authority asks applicants of all large developments for a forecast of traffic impact and suggestions for mitigation while environmental health staff assess air quality implications of new developments.

He said traffic and air quality impacts was a consideration in granting applications and even if successful, developers are asked to be paid for sustainable transport improvements or mitigation measures.

He added: “Our understanding is that this policy is to protect a specially-designated area of lowland heath containing species vulnerable to traffic fumes. As we have no comparable landscape we could not introduce such a policy on those grounds.”