As Ringmer residents whose party political views span the complete spectrum, we wish to express specific concerns relating to the treatment of our village as part of the newbuild proposals for Lewes District. We recognise the need for additional housing in the South of England. However, Ringmer is being allocated a wholly unfair proportion of the additional housing needs for Lewes District.

The speed of the revision and consultation process does not permit adequate consultation. We totally oppose the newly created concept of Ringmer as a "satellite" village of Lewes. We decry the absence of any pro-activity on the part of district and county councillors aimed at completing an urban-capacity study to identify brownfield sites. Other districts have completed such studies but it appears to be beyond the capabilities of Lewes District.

We urge our district and county representatives to seek to achieve three short-term objectives: To remove the "satellite" concept from all proposals; to accelerate the urban capacity study and obtain the report within 12 months; and to act to delay any greenfield development in Ringmer, other than the Caburn Field (football pitch) site, beyond the 2001-6 phase.

By achieving these three objectives, Ringmer would be taking its fair share of new building up to 2006 and all concerned would have time to make proper assessments in relation to post-2006 phases.

-Dr A P Parker, Mill Road, Ringmer and 14 others