Posts by Abbie Cavendish
Public rights of way blocked in 32,000 places
We’re shocked that walkers are finding public paths in England and Wales blocked in nearly 32,000 places—that’s one obstruction every four and a half miles, and they are getting worse. As Britain’s oldest national conservation body, we’ve been campaigning to protect footpaths, bridleways and byways – as well as other open spaces – since 1865,…
Read MoreDartmoor backpack-camping case is to go to Supreme Court
We are deeply dismayed that the Supreme Court has granted the Dartmoor landowners, Alexander and Diana Darwall, leave to appeal in the Dartmoor backpack-camping case. The society intervened in support of the Dartmoor National Park Authority in the Court of Appeal, and it was delighted when that court ruled that the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 gave…
Read MoreOur plan to secure urban green spaces for the public
We made a host of recommendations to secure urban green spaces for public enjoyment. These recommendations have been published by the House of Commons’ Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Committee, which last year conducted an inquiry into the ecological, environmental, and human benefits of green space, and the most effective solutions to making cities greener…
Read MoreWe help to save Sneedhams Green common, Gloucestershire, from encroachment
We welcome an inspector’s decision to refuse commons consent for works on Sneedhams Green in Gloucestershire. Black Box Planning Ltd, on behalf of the G W Hughes Will Trust, had applied to the Planning Inspectorate for approval to construct access ways across the common, which is south of Matson and close to the M5. The…
Read MoreDegradation of Picket Mead common, Swansea
We have deplored the decision to allow a new access-track across the lovely, one-hectare, Picket Mead common, at Newton, west of Swansea. The application, which also includes the laying of underground services, was made by Carrington Moore Estates Ltd, to provide access to a new development adjoining the common. Because it comprises works on common…
Read MoreLand at Garrow Lane, Mullion, registered as common
We have welcomed the decision of Cornwall Council to grant our application to register as common approximately 0.63 hectares of land. The strip of mixed vegetation is situated on Garrow Lane, just south of Mullion. In 1968, an application was made to register the land as common land but was subject to an objection. The…
Read MoreNew champion for paths and open spaces in Dudley
We have appointed Mick Freer as our local correspondent for Dudley Borough. Mick will be the society’s watchdog here, keeping a close eye on paths, commons, greens, and open spaces, and defending them in the public interest. Mick has lived all his life on the doorstep of the beautiful Clent Hills, and his interest in…
Read MoreWe oppose gating of Primrose Hill Park
We have made a strong objection to the Royal Parks’ planning application for nine gates around the edge of Primrose Hill Park in Camden, London; these will restrict people’s access to this important recreational space. In our objection, we state: ‘Primrose Hill, in the heart of a residential area, is an important open space, much…
Read MoreWaterstock industrial development rejected
We are delighted that South Oxfordshire District Council has refused an application from Greystoke CB Ltd to build a science park at Waterstock golf course, about seven kilometres west of Thame. Our general secretary joined two walks in protest at the development and, when the application was published, we objected, in support of local members. …
Read MoreSeven-year fight saves Blackbushe aerodrome as common land
After a seven-year saga, Blackbushe aerodrome is to stay as part of Yateley Common. That is the final pronouncement of an inspector who has determined the application of Blackbushe Airport Ltd (BAL), made in November 2016, to remove nearly half a square kilometre of airfield from the Hampshire register of common land. We celebrate the…
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