Osborne frustrates coastal path
Proposals for the route of the England Coast Path on the Isle of Wight look set to avoid some of the best bits of coast. We are dismayed that Natural England’s proposed route for the England Coast Path (ECP) on the Isle of Wight veers inland when it reaches the Osborne and Barton estates between…
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Our new watchdog for paths and green spaces in Essex
We have appointed Katherine Evans as our local correspondent to watch over the public paths, commons, greens, and other open spaces in Essex. Katherine lives in Braintree District in north-east Essex. She says: ‘I volunteered to be the Open Spaces Society’s local correspondent for Essex because I care about keeping our public rights of way…
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Land restored to Trewellard Common, Cornwall
We are pleased that unenclosed land adjacent to Trewellard Common has been recognised as common land. Planning Inspector Paul Freer has granted the society’s application to register as common about 0.7 hectares of land situated south-east of the village of Trewellard. The land comprises brambles and bracken. It is about seven miles north-west of Penzance. …
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Government challenged to save missing commons
On the sixtieth anniversary of the Commons Registration Act 1965, we have challenged ministers to re-open the closed registers in England, and save thousands of square miles of green land for the people to enjoy. In a letter to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Rt Hon Steve Reed MP,…
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We call for Wilmot Gardens, Plymouth, to be made a town green
We are delighted that Plymouth City Councillors have rejected the proposed development of Wilmot Gardens, Crownhill, and now call on the council to register it as a town green. After a long debate at the planning committee meeting on 24 July, members voted by 10 to 2 to reject the application for five houses,…
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More Dartmoor land restored as common
Another piece of the Dartmoor National Park in Devon has been registered as common land. Planning Inspector Nigel Farthing has granted the society’s application to register as common about 82.25 hectares of part of Ditsworthy Warren. The land, which is about 2.5 kilometres east of Sheepstor, is grazed and uncultivated. In 1968, a tract of…
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We call on Plymouth Council to reject development on unique Wilmot Gardens
We are deeply concerned that on 24 July Plymouth City Councillors are being recommended to approve the development of Wilmot Gardens, Crownhill. The case officer, Mr Macauley Potter, is recommending approval with conditions of five houses on Wilmot Gardens, a 0.3-acre much-loved open space. The 32-page report is here. There are 49 objections. The council’s…
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Senedd saves unrecorded public paths
We are delighted that the Senedd has repealed the 2026 cut-off date for public rights of way in Wales[1]. The Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Act 2025, which contains this provision[2], won royal assent on 10 July. The Welsh Government had included these repeal provisions in a consultation draft of the Bill in 2022,…
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We mark our 160th anniversary
On 19 July 1865, 160 years ago today, we were launched as the Commons Preservation Society. Since then, we have saved countless commons, green spaces, and public paths for all to enjoy. Our founders went on to form the National Trust in 1895, believing that the most effective way to save land was to own…
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Greta Wood in North Yorkshire restored as common land
We are delighted that Greta Wood, which is situated immediately to the south-west of Burton in Lonsdale, has been registered as common land. Planning inspector Claire Tregembo has granted the society’s application to register as common about 5.7 hectares of land known as Greta Wood. The site is mainly wooded and is uncultivated. In 1968…
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