Much of Hove is urbanised, but in 1994 there were of downland—about 37.5% of the total acreage of the then borough. In common with other parts of the South Downs, much of land has been used as sheep pasture, but crop farming also takes place and large areas of land were claimed for military training during World War II. Toads Hole Valley, a triangular site south of the Brighton Bypass, is the last piece of unspoiled downland in Hove. It has been privately owned since 1937 and has been proposed for urban development for many years: in 2002 it was stated that controversy rages over the future use of this land.