Our local correspondent takes action over fenced off Lewes Racecourse bridleway
Chris Smith, our local correspondent for Brighton and Lewes, is taking action to claim the full width of a well-used and important bridleway on the South Downs near Lewes Racecourse buildings. Chris has reported that most of the bridleway past the racecourse buildings has been fenced off since June this year and comments: “The part…
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We fight development on Leyton green space
We have objected to a planning application for sports facilities on a green space at Ive Farm, Leyton in Waltham Forest. The development includes two outdoor sports pitches, a spring track, volleyball arena, pavilion, seating, floodlighting and car parking. We that this will suburbanise land which is an extensive green space enjoyed by local people…
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Obstructing fence removed from Windsor footpath
A public footpath in Windsor has been recorded correctly on the official map and reopened to its full width after having been fenced in. The footpath runs between Priors Road and Keepers Farm Close on the west side of Windsor. The addition of the path to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) definitive…
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We help defeat land swap for Limpenhoe village green, Norfolk
We have helped prevent the swap of part of Limpenhoe village green, ten miles south-east of Norwich in Norfolk. The green is in the Broads National Park. Cantley Parish Council proposed to remove 4,970 square metres of Limpenhoe village green from the register and offer in exchange only 1,500 square metres closer to the village…
Read MoreOur new drive to rescue lost commons
We have launched a new drive to rescue common land which escaped registration 45 years ago. We are advertising for a project officer to undertake research and submit applications for commons to be added to the registers. The society was a leader in registering common land when it became possible to do so under the…
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Mary Traynor takes on South Lakeland, Cumbria
Mary Traynor is our new local correspondent for South Lakeland District in Cumbria. She lives at High Tenterfell near Kendal. Her interest in the Open Spaces Society was sparked by her concern for the local town green, Kendal Fell, which is of natural history and archaeological interest, and is used as a golf course. There…
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Reopening of blocked footpath at Little Hautbois, Norfolk
The blocked Buxton with Lammas footpath 1 has been reopened. The path, which runs past the Tudor mansion Hautbois Hall, had been blocked to a narrow width with fences and gates. We lobbied Norfolk County Council to reopen it and now this has been done. …
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Friends of Panshanger Park campaign to save Repton’s Broadwater
Our member, The Friends of Panshanger Park, is campaigning to save Humphry Repton’s design for the Broadwater in Panshanger Park which is in danger of being destroyed for gravel extraction. Repton’s Broadwater at the western end of the park has been retained more or less intact but the owners, Lafarge Tarmac, now propose to destroy…
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We slate Network Rail’s blocked paths in Ely
We have complained to Cambridgeshire County Council about the unlawful closure of public paths by Network Rail. Our local correspondent, Alysoun Hodges, was dismayed to discover that Network Rail has closed footpaths in Ely where they cross the railway line. While Network Rail is carrying out a consultation on the closure of path crossings over…
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Ian Mercer, giant of the national-park movement, dies aged 83
Ian Mercer, the first Dartmoor National Park Officer and the first chief executive of the Welsh Government’s advisory body, the Countryside Council for Wales, has died aged 83 after a long illness. He was also the first warden of Slapton Ley Field Centre, the first county (Devon) conservation officer in England and Wales, and the…
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