Seven Sisters secured
We have welcomed East Sussex County Council’s proposal to transfer ownership of Seven Sisters Country Park to the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA). This follows nearly five years of uncertainty. Said our local representative, Brendan Clegg: ‘This is excellent news and a huge relief to all those who cherish this wonderful place. We are…
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Consent refused for iron railings on Nottinghamshire common
We are delighted that the environment secretary has rejected a retrospective application for fencing on Hanging Hill Lane common, Normanton-on-Trent. The common is a long strip, consisting of Hanging Hill Lane and a broad verge on either side. The verge is used by walkers and for access to adjoining fields. The one-metre-high iron railings…
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Land for the Many Report
The society welcomes the publication today of Land for the Many, a report commissioned by the Labour Party. The party will consider the proposals as part of its policy development ahead of the next general election. The report places land at the heart of political debate and discussion, and it proposes significant changes to land…
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End the scandal of secret paths
Fifty years on from the Countryside Act 1968, which required local authorities to signpost a public path where it leaves a road, many paths still lack signposts. We are calling for an end to this scandal. Join Open Spaces Society and add your voice to our ongoing battle. The society and the Ramblers were responsible…
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Supporting Wastes and Strays
Our case officer, Nicola Hodgson, gave a presentation, at Newcastle university, to the inaugural Advisory Board meeting of the Wastes and Strays three year project which included reference to the Society’s publication Finding Common Ground about ascertaining local community interest on common land. The Society is a member of the Advisory Board which will oversee…
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Better access in Wales?
Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hannah Blythyn, has made an announcement about improving public access in Wales. This follows the government’s consultation in 2017 to which there were more than 16,000 responses. The minister extols the benefits of an accessible countryside and the importance of supporting rural areas to maximise revenue from tourism.…
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Town greens should be integral to development
‘Developers should be required to dedicate land as a town or village green whenever they are given planning permission for a development.’ So said our general secretary Kate Ashbrook, speaking at a debate organised by CPRE London on Your right to the city—do we need an urban right to roam? on Thursday (23 May). Kate…
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Village greens under the cosh
Green spaces have been dealt a savage blow. The Court of Appeal has ruled that even when land is vaguely identified in a plan for potential development, it cannot be registered as a town or village green (TVG). We are deeply concerned that as a result of the Appeal Court judgment people’s ability to record…
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Chester walking club celebrates centenary in style
‘The Chester Rambling and Hill Walking Club has provided pleasure and adventure to walkers for 100 years. It could take a lead in campaigning for walkers’ rights too.’ So said Kate Ashbrook, our general secretary, speaking at the club’s centenary dinner in Chester on Thursday 16 May. More than 135 club members at the dinner…
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York Council told to ramp up its work on public paths
We are pleased that the local government ombudsman has told the City of York Council that it must speed up its work on updating the official (definitive) map of public paths. This follows a complaint by our member Graham Cheyne about the council’s inaction on his application to add a path at Fulford to the…
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