Lake District zip-wire approval causes dismay
We are dismayed that the Lake District National Park Authority’s Development Control Committee has approved the Honister zip-wire. The application was made by the Honister Slate Mine for an aerial zip-wire and other structures over the Honister Pass in the Lake District National Park The committee overturned the recommendation for refusal from national park planning…
Read MoreBattle of Knutsford Heath
A new ‘Battle of Knutsford Heath’ is brewing in Cheshire East. TV chef Tom Kerridge plans to present ‘Pub in the Park’ on Knutsford Heath, which is protected common land, from 7 to 9 September 2018. We are calling for Knutsford Heath instead to be kept open to the public for quiet recreation. The society…
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Public inquiry into common-land swap at Therfield Heath, Royston
A public inquiry is being held on Tuesday (30 January) into the exchange of common land proposed by the Conservators of Therfield Heath and Greens in Hertfordshire. We have submitted an objection. The conservators wish to swap 1.65 acres of common land off Sun Hill at Royston in Hertfordshire for the same area of woodland…
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We challenge British Car Auctions’ use of Yateley Common, Hampshire
British Car Auctions (BCA), which occupies part of the former Blackbushe Airport on Yateley Common in Hampshire, has withdrawn its application to the environment secretary for consent for works on the common. The application was made under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006. We had objected to the application. We were concerned that the…
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Massive Chiltern development rejected
We are delighted that Wycombe District Council, Bucks, has rejected an application from West Waddy ADP to build up to 140 dwellings at Little Studdridge Farm, south of Stokenchurch in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The society joined many local objectors, including Stokenchurch and Ibstone Parish Councils and the Chiltern Society, in…
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Environment charities welcome 25 Year Environment Plan, but Environment Act needs to secure its success
The Open Spaces Society has joined other organisations represented by Wildlife & Countryside Link in welcoming the Prime Minister’s commitments on the environment and the UK Government’s long awaited 25 Year Environment Plan which is launched today. The plan covers England and the UK’s international environmental commitments. The environment and animal welfare organisations support the…
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Breckland councillors to determine controversial development plans at Dereham, Norfolk
On Monday (15 January) Breckland Council’s Planning Committee will determine the planning application to build 291 houses on agricultural land south of Dereham in Norfolk. There are more than 192 objectors, including the society, the Ramblers and five town and parish councils. This development on open countryside will bring no public benefit and no new…
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Manchester councillors to debate the future of Nutsford Vale
On Thursday (11 January) Manchester City Council’s Planning and Highways Committee will consider the planning application to build a school on open space at Nutsford Vale. This is a council-owned park on the borders of Longsight, Levenshulme and Gorton, in south-east Manchester. The planning application, from the council’s education department, is for a school building,…
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New Northern Forest: great opportunity for public involvement
We have welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement that a new Northern Forest is to be created along the M62 corridor, as part of the government’s 25-year Environment Plan. The forest is to span more than 120 miles between the cities of Bradford, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool. The society is particularly pleased that this will provide…
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It’s official: public access is a public good
We are delighted by the commitment from the Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, that ‘public access is a public good’ and should be part of the post-Brexit payment scheme for farmers. Michael Gove was setting out his vision for the future of farming at the Oxford Farming Conference on 4 January. He said that government will…
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