Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use and protect personal information provided by residents who sign up to support our community campaign on planning matters within our villages and district.

We are committed to handling your information lawfully, fairly and transparently, in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who we are
Protect Pease Pottage and Handcross is a community‑led, non‑party‑political group formed to represent local concerns about development proposals and planning decisions within our villages and wider area.
We are a voluntary organisation and act as the “data controller” for the information you provide to us.

2. What information we collect
When you sign up or contact us, we may collect:

Your name
Your email address
Your postcode or village (to confirm local residency)
Any messages or comments you choose to send us
Your preferences for updates or involvement
We do not collect unnecessary information and we do not use tracking cookies or analytics tools that identify you personally.

3. How we use your information

We use your information only for the following purposes:
To send updates about planning matters affecting our villages and district
To share information about meetings, consultations or community actions
To keep you informed about the progress of our campaign
To contact you if you have offered help or asked to be involved
To understand the level of local support within different villages
We will never sell your information or share it with third parties for marketing.
We may share information only where legally required (for example, if requested by a regulator).

4. Legal basis for processing

We process your information under:
Consent – when you sign up and agree to receive updates
Legitimate interests – where we need to communicate with supporters about planning matters that affect the community
You may withdraw your consent at any time.

5. How long we keep your information
We keep your information only for as long as the campaign is active or until you ask us to delete it.
If the campaign ends, all personal data will be securely deleted within 3 months.

6. Your rights
Under GDPR, you have the right to:

Access the information we hold about you
Ask us to correct inaccurate information
Ask us to delete your information
Withdraw your consent
Object to how your data is used

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at via the website contact form.

7. How we protect your information
We take reasonable steps to keep your information secure, including:

Password‑protected systems
Limited access for authorised volunteers only
Secure deletion when information is no longer needed

8. Contact
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is used, please contact us via the website contact form.

Supporter Code of Conduct
To keep our campaign respectful, constructive and community‑focused, we ask all supporters to follow this Code of Conduct.

By signing up, you agree to:

1. Be respectful

Treat fellow residents, volunteers and public officials with courtesy.
Avoid personal attacks, harassment or abusive language.

2. Keep it factual

Share accurate information.
Avoid spreading rumours or unverified claims.

3. Stay non‑party‑political

Our campaign is about planning, not party politics.
Do not use our platforms to promote political parties or candidates.

4. Protect privacy

Do not share other residents’ personal information without permission.
Keep internal discussions within the group unless agreed otherwise.

5. Engage constructively

Focus on evidence, community impact and planning issues.
Avoid behaviour that could damage the credibility of the campaign.

6. Follow the law

Do not engage in unlawful activity, including defamation, harassment or misuse of data.

7. Represent the group responsibly

If speaking publicly or online, make clear when you are expressing a personal view.
Do not claim to speak on behalf of the campaign unless authorised.

Group Member Sign‑Up Declaration ____________________ Print ________________________
I confirm that I am a resident of the local area, that I support the aims of this campaign, and that I agree to the Privacy Policy and Supporter Code of Conduct.