IT'S not easy for a town to keep intact those green and open spaces it still possesses, in the light of increasing pressures to concrete-over anything that doesn't move.
But campaigners against the "must build here" syndrome are strongly represented by growing opposition to the proposed West Durrington development, which could eventually result in more than 1,000 new homes.
The protest move is gaining strength by
the day, helped by Worthing Borough Council's sensible decision to delay by six weeks a key planning committee meeting, to allow action groups more time to prepare and co-ordinate their case against this giant scheme.
It has to be said, however, that these campaigners face what seems to be an insurmountable task in foiling the Durrington Consortium's scheme, which is a vital part of making Worthing meet its stiff quota of more home provision in the south east area.
On the plus side, there is every point in the protesters pressing ahead for the best deal realistically possible to protect the environment.
The campaign so far has already achieved success in reducing the number of trees threatened by the development's original concept, and there is always hope that further "concessions" will be around the corner.
On a more grass (or cabbage!) roots level, Worthing almost certainly won't be going down the path of many other local authorities by disposing of its public allotments land.
This town is fortunate in having more such land than its surrounding neighbours, and there is such a strong demand for the 1,000 plots on the borough's eight sites that there is a waiting list of nearly 700 wanting the opportunity to grow healthier, cheaper food.
And not content to sit on its laurels, the council's overview and scrutiny committee decided only last week to press for at least two potential areas which could be added to the plot pot.
There was another possible site, but, you've guessed right, it had already been earmarked for housing...
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