The Sussex Wildlife Trust wants to buy Tenants Hill in Worthing and restore it to flower-rich chalk grassland.
The site sits north of Lyons Farm near Cissbury Ring.
Worthing Borough Council says the plan would boost biodiversity while keeping public access under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act.
As part of its proposals, the trust would restore the rare chalk grassland habitat by grazing its conservation herd on the site. This restoration work would benefit a wide range of birds like Skylarks, insects such as the Adonis blue butterfly and plants including the round-headed rampion, also called the Pride of Sussex.
The council is hosting a public engagement at Findon Valley Free Church on Monday 15th September 2025 from 6:30pm to 8pm, so residents can find out more about the proposals and ask any questions they may have. Representatives of Sussex Wildlife Trust will also be in attendance, and an update on the Cissbury Fields project will also be provided.
Members of the public can now reserve their space for the engagement event, which has a maximum capacity of 80 people. Tickets can be reserved on a first come, first served basis at:
Councillor Vicki Wells, Worthing's cabinet member for environmental services, said:
“The potential adoption of Tenants Hill by Sussex Wildlife Trust for nature restoration is hugely exciting. We have a duty of care to nature and only through specialist collaborations like this can we ensure our unique chalkland landscape is protected and enhanced for wildlife and future generations.
“An engagement event has been organised for residents to ask valuable questions and understand what's being proposed. We hope many people will join us for an evening of learning and discussion.”
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