Councillors have voted for changes to the boundary of the proposed new South Downs national park.
Brighton and Hove City Council will press for more areas on the urban fringe to be included.
They are Whitehawk Hill, Sheepcote Valley, the cliffs and undercliff in Brighton, the edges of Hollingbury Hill, Ladies Mile local nature reserve in Patcham, Toad's Hole
Valley in Hove, Benfield Valley in Portslade and the urban fringe of Mile Oak.
A Green motion, backed by Tories, was approved 27-0 with 25 abstentions. Now the policy committee decide on the changes before they are presented as part of the council's case to a public inquiry.
Dave Bangs, from the Friends of Whitehawk Hill, said: "This means the urban edge downland in the poorer areas of Brighton will now stand a better chance of being included."
But council leaders are worried the new areas do not meet the criteria for inclusion.
Despite this, Green Party convenor Keith Taylor said: "I am delighted the debate has been opened up.
"There is strong public concern that part of the urban fringe could be lost to development."
Monday September 29, 2003
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