IN just five days 800 people signed up to the Keep Southwater Green campaign Facebook group.
Members of Facebook are supporting the work being done by campaigners in raising awareness of the huge housing development being proposed as a possibility for west of Southwater.
This is one of the options being consulted on by Horsham District Co
uncil to help fulfil the housing requirement of 13,000 dwellings for the district set out by the Government's South East Plan.
The Facebook group links to the Keep Southwater Green website - www.keepsouthwatergreen.co.uk - to download the petition.
"We would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone that has joined in on Facebook for the campaign to Keep Southwater Green," said Southwater residents Michelle Gandy and Sharon Bryant.
"Social media network groups like Facebook is such a fantastic way to effectively communicate with your community when faced with such an adverse situation.
"Thanks to the power of Facebook, Keep Southwater Green has now attained nearly 800 members in only five days and the numbers are rising dramatically.
"Yesterday (Wednesday) for example, we started on 450. We are thankfully aware of our younger audience and how much they are looking up to the adults to save their village.
"We also inform members where we will be collecting signatures and other members tell us where they have collected signatures too.
"People have been adding in other helpful links to MPs and to the Southwater Parish Council when posting a comment.
"2,750 houses is a massive development. An extra 7,000 people and will nearly double the size of Southwater!
"The Southwater Parish Council requires the majority of the electorate in Southwater to sign the petition.
"There are 7,350 residents in Southwater over 18, that can vote, and we need over half of that to be the majority.
"The petition has to be signed by March 25, so there is not much time left.
"Join our Facebook group at http://bit.ly/dD4n0k to support Keep Southwater Green in their campaign and keep our beautiful scenic landscape, which is part of the character of our village.
"We are aiming to organise a mass signing day, so join our group on facebook and we will keep you posted."
