This weekend communities across the UK came together as part of a national Day of Action for Nature, Parks and Green Spaces.

Co-ordinated by the Community Planning Alliance, the day saw more than 220 community events held nationwide, including several right here in Sussex.

The purpose was simple: to demonstrate, collectively, that people everywhere care deeply about nature, parks and green spaces and want to see them protected and restored.

In Henfield, more than 500 residents gathered as part of an ongoing battle to protect the village’s green spaces from speculative development.

Organised by the Campaign to Protect Rural Henfield (CPRH), the day raised awareness of plans to build more than 1,000 new homes on Henfield’s fields and green spaces.

The plans go against the Neighbourhood Plan for the village, a democratically-created document written by local people, who understand the housing need, as well as the best places to build.

Campaigners argue, absolutely correctly, that these development bids will forever change the heritage, nature and community of the village.

The Day of Action was an opportunity for the public to learn more about the impact of developments on water quality and flooding and gain insight into the planning system.

It was also an opportunity to find out more about what we can all do to protect our communities, environment and heritage.

In Seaford, campaigners gathered to show their support for Chyngton Field.

The field, which originally formed part of the early medieval Chyngton Farm, has been designated by Natural England as a Habitat Network Expansion Zone.

It also forms part of the gateway to the South Downs National Park and to the Seaford Head Nature Reserve.

However, despite this, it has been put forward for development as part of Lewes District Council’s Local Plan.

Residents, Seaford Town Council, The National Trust and Friends of the South Downs have all objected to the field’s inclusion as a development site.

But the district council is forging ahead.

This is just another example of national government targets being put ahead of the needs of local communities.

The Day of Action was timely, not just because of the upcoming elections, but because local democracy feels increasingly under threat.

Draft changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) mean local councils must comply with national policies on issues like the energy efficiency of new buildings.

This would not necessarily be a bad thing if national policies were robust and put sustainability and affordability at their heart.

However, with big housebuilders lobbying to water down standards, we are not holding our breath.

In addition, proposals to automatically grant any development close to a railway station risk massive new schemes being built in precious countryside.

These changes come on top of last year’s disastrous Planning and Infrastructure Bill (PIB) and recently-announced plans to remove local authorities’ ability to decide on schemes of more than 150 homes.

At the same time, the government has shown complete disregard for safeguards designed to protect affordability, nature, environment and local democratic control.

Just last year the chancellor boasted of unblocking 20,000 homes in Sussex.

She claimed the development was being stopped by “some snails on the site that are a protected species or something”.

The snails in question were one indicator of the ecological health of the Arun Valley – a conservation area supporting rare birds, invertebrates and aquatic plants.

In short, local voices – and the vital knowledge they bring to the planning process – are being lost and the countryside is more under threat than ever.

But the events in Henfield and Seaford demonstrate just how passionate local people are about the countryside and green spaces on their doorstep.

And they are not alone!

Earlier this year the Countryside Poll, carried out by More in Common for the national CPRE charity, revealed nine in 10 people believe the countryside is what makes our country special.

The overwhelming majority of people also believe existing measures to protect the countryside should be strengthened.

More than eight in 10 believe it is possible to build the homes the UK needs while safeguarding the countryside for future generations.

Most poll respondents believe new housing developments should be built on previously developed sites in towns and cities or disused office or industrial buildings.

With local elections looming, candidates from across the political spectrum should take note – people care about the countryside and want to see it protected.

At CPRE Sussex, we believe local people should be able to shape the place where they live and must be involved in planning decisions in a meaningful way.

Ahead of the upcoming election we have written to candidates from all political parties asking them to commit to the following six pledges:

· Support councils, housing associations and community land trusts to deliver genuinely affordable homes, especially for social rent.

· Build on brownfield first, through prioritising the over 1,200 acres of brownfield land in Sussex for new development.

· Resist central government control on planning policy and push back on their sledgehammer housing targets.

· Invest in nature recovery, through properly protecting and resourcing Sussex landscapes.

· Champion a community-led clean energy movement through supporting local groups.

· Hold water companies to account and use planning conditions to ensure new developments can only be built if there is enough capacity in the sewerage system.

We have also launched a petition calling on all candidates to help shape a greener future for Sussex. You can sign the petition at: actionnetwork.org/petitions/a-greener-sussex-for-us-all-ask-our-council-candidates.

CPRE Sussex will continue fighting for affordable, sustainable housing which does not threaten the countryside.

We will work with community groups, dedicated campaigners and those local councillors and MPs willing to take a stand for Sussex.

Together, we can make a difference and ensure communities are at the heart of decision-making.

The National Day of Action was a fantastic reminder of the passion we all have for our local landscapes.

Now, we need to carry that passion forward to fight for our countryside.

If you would like to know more about how to support CPRE Sussex’s work, visit cpresussex.org.uk/get-involved/.