When Telscombe Tye was illegally fenced, which divided it into fields and cut across rights of way, East Sussex County Council (ESCC) insisted the fences were removed pending an application to the Secretary of State for the Environment for permission.

So many objections were received that a public inquiry was deemed necessary. This is to be held at Telscombe Civic Centre on August 29 at 10am and August 30 at 7pm to deal with the application to cut the Tye up with more fencing and gates.

If the fencing is approved, the Tye as an open common will be lost. The main reason for fencing it is to allow more intensive grazing by cattle.

The inspector's independent decision will depend on the strength of feeling and arguments put before the inquiry. But we must not be complacent - this decision will be final.

This is everyone's chance to speak and finally be heard. Anyone who cares about the Tye should attend if they possibly can. The most powerful argument they can offer is to be there.

The future of the Tye depends on the public showing how much this beautiful common, where the Downs sweep down to the sea, matters to them.

Lord Shawcross, president of the Society of Sussex Downsmen, called upon all good men and true to unite to save the Tye and to make their voices heard loud and clear in the corridors of local government and ministries on behalf of all the Sussex Downland.

He said rights of way should not be allowed to fall into disuse. If attempts are made to encroach upon the Tye, make the right of access to it less convenient, fence or obtain planning permission for development upon it, these should be opposed instantly by all legal means to hand.

-Jackie Rowland, Kingston, near Lewes