Residents are being invited to help shape plans to restore the historic Falmer Pond and secure its future.
The council is launching a survey as part of the Falmer Pond Restoration Project – a partnership between the council, South Downs National Park Authority, Falmer Parish Council, and the Friends of Falmer Pond.
This project is part of the wider Downs to the Sea project made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Thanks to National Lottery players, Nature Recovery is being supported though the improvement, restoration and creation of wet habitats, giving many people opportunities to enjoy, engage and learn about them.
Preparation work, to reduce the tree canopy around Falmer pond was carried out earlier this year.
Now residents are being asked to comment on the design for the pond, focusing on whether the proposals offer improvement and meet the objectives of the lottery funding.
These are:
Residents can have their say in the online survey (1) Project: Falmer Pond restoration project | Brighton & Hove City Council which is open for comment until 16th June 2026
They can also book onto an engagement event to find out more from the project team. Events are being held at Falmer Village Hall on:
Monday 18 May (2pm to 5pm)
Friday 29 May (6pm to 8pm)
Saturday 30 May (10am to 1pm)
Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet Member for Sport, Recreation and Libraries, said: “I’d encourage residents, visitors and local organisations to take part in the consultation and help to shape the future of this historic and much-loved village pond.
“By taking part, they will not only be playing an important part in the restoration project, but also marking a significant step forward in the National Lottery Heritage Fund supported ‘Downs to the Sea’ project, which highlights the importance of water and wetlands in the water-stressed South East of England.”
Council officers will provide an update on the responses received and the changes made as a result. This will help shape the final design to be submitted as part of a planning application later this summer.
Once it’s been submitted, details of the planning application, will be shared on the Falmer Pond Restoration Project and will be available for comment on the South Downs National Park Planning Authority website.
We're starting work on the Falmer Pond Restoration Project next week. The work involves removing some of the trees surrounding the pond and reducing the canopy above.
A pilot project to install rainwater harvesting stations on allotment sites has just been completed.
Walkers are enjoying taking a stroll on the newly resurfaced footpath from Coldean Lane into Stanmer Park which opened this week.