Mega-nosedive for microlights in mid Bucks
A planning inspector, John Felgate, has rejected plans by Mr Mark Fowler to fly microlight aircraft from Bernwood Farm, Botolph Claydon in mid Bucks. Mr Fowler had appealed against Aylesbury Vale District Council’s refusal of consent in December 2010. The application was retrospective: Mr Fowler, the tenant of Bernwood Farm, was already flying aircraft there…
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Government should learn from Cumbrian green-space project
‘The government could learn a lot from the Our Green Space project in Cumbria.’ So declares our general secretary Kate Ashbrook, who spoke at the project’s celebratory event in Penrith on 11 November. ‘Here five communities*, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Friends of the Lake District, have revitalised their local green…
Read MoreCelebrating success in saving and creating spaces for the public
We have launched our first Open Space Award. The society is inviting applicants who can demonstrate an activity that protects, increases, enhances and champions common land, town and village greens, open spaces and public paths in England and Wales, and the public’s right to enjoy them. Details are on our website here or phone 01491…
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Chorleywood Common fencing plan withdrawn
We are relieved that Chorleywood Parish Council has withdrawn its application for fencing on the lovely Chorleywood Common in Hertfordshire. The council had applied to the Secretary of State for Environment for consent, under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006, to erect 1,152 metres of permanent fencing and 352 metres of temporary fencing, enclosing…
Read MoreSociety objects to polytunnels at Osbaldwick, York
We have objected to an application from Mr James Metcalf of Wakefield to site 58 polytunnels and associated works next to Metcalfe Lane, Osbaldwick. The society has sent an objection to the City of York Council, the planning authority. We are concerned about the adverse effect of the proposal on people’s enjoyment of Metcalfe Lane…
Read MorePlan to suburbanise Cornish coast
We are opposing plans which would suburbanise the small rural community of Trevone, near Padstow on the north coast of Cornwall. An application from First Step Homes to erect 15 dwellings at Trevone Farm comes before the planning committee on 9 November. This development will be an eyesore, a suburban excrescence in open country. There…
Read MoreWe say no to car park on Suffolk common
We have objected to an application from Wortham & Burgate Parish Council to construct a tarmac car-park on Long Green Common, Wortham in Suffolk. The council has applied for the consent of the Secretary of State for Environment for works on common land, under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006. The tarmac surface will…
Read MoreOpen Space Award 2012
Victory for Surrey campaigners who saved wild meadow An ambitious community campaign to preserve a threatened 30-acre beauty spot in Farnham has been named winner of the first-ever Open Space Award. The amazing success of The Bishop’s Meadow Trust impressed judges from Open Spaces Society and earned it the top spot, despite strong competition nationwide.…
Read MoreGood news-bad news for Bodmin Moor
We are pleased that Community Windpower Ltd has withdrawn its application for 20 wind turbines on land adjoining the peaks of Rough Tor and Brown Willy, near Davidstow Wood on Cornwall’s Bodmin Moor. But we are worried that the company has threatened to submit a further application soon. Cornwall County Council’s planning committee rejected the…
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Fighting fencing on Padworth Common
We have joined the British Horse Society and over 120 other local objectors in opposing plans by West Berkshire Council to fence Padworth Common, west of Mortimer in West Berkshire. The council, which owns the land, wants to graze livestock there to improve the biodiversity and has applied to the Planning Inspectorate for consent for…
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