Two of Seaford’s most loved green spaces are set to be protected for generations to come, after Seaford Town Council agreed to register The Crouch and Martello Fields with the national Fields in Trust charity.
The decision, made at Full Council on 23 April 2026, will see both sites safeguarded in perpetuity as public green spaces—helping to protect them from future development and preserve them for recreation, wellbeing and nature.
Fields in Trust works across the UK to legally protect parks, playing fields and green spaces through binding agreements with landowners. Once a site is registered, it remains permanently dedicated as a space for community use, giving residents long-term reassurance that these areas will be there for future generations to enjoy.
For Seaford, this protection also supports wider environmental goals—helping to safeguard natural habitats, support biodiversity and ensure continued access to open spaces that are vital for both physical and mental wellbeing.
Councillors had previously agreed in 2022 to apply for Fields in Trust status for The Crouch, The Salts Recreation Ground and Martello Fields. However, the decision was brought back for further consideration after officers identified additional implications, including tighter controls on certain types of changes to sites and potential costs for seeking approval from the Trust for more significant works. These changes could include improvements to facilities or enhancements to how the spaces are used and enjoyed by the community.
Following this review, councillors chose to move forward with protection for The Crouch and Martello Fields, while taking a more flexible approach for The Salts Recreation Ground.
The Council has decided not to register The Salts at this stage, recognising the importance of keeping options open while plans are developed to improve and enhance it as a recreational space as part of its Strategy Programme 2025–2027. This approach ensures that future upgrades—such as improvements to sports, leisure or community facilities—can be fully explored before any additional restrictions are put in place. The site will continue to be protected as an important community recreation ground, with existing planning and policy safeguards already in place.
A spokesperson from the Town Council has said: “The Crouch and Martello Fields are incredibly important to our community—not just as places to relax and enjoy, but as vital green spaces that support wildlife and wellbeing. By protecting them through Fields in Trust, we’re making a clear commitment to future generations that these spaces will remain open and accessible.
At the same time, we’ve taken a balanced and practical approach for The Salts, giving us the flexibility to improve and invest in the site before making a long-term decision about its protection.”
While Fields in Trust status strengthens long-term protection, it also means that some types of changes—such as new buildings or commercial uses—may require approval from the Trust and could involve additional costs. The Council carefully considered these factors to ensure the right balance between protecting green spaces and retaining the ability to respond to community needs over time.
The Crouch already benefits from recognition as a Local Green Space in the Seaford Neighbourhood Plan, and the new designation will add a further, legally binding level of protection.
The next step will be for the Council to prepare detailed legal agreements—known as Deeds of Dedication—for The Crouch and Martello Fields, which will be brought back to Full Council for final approval.
