Latest News

We fight solar farm in New Forest National Park

January 2, 2015

MTS Exbury Solar Ltd has applied to build a solar farm on nine hectares of land east of Lepe Farm, Exbury in the New Forest National Park.  We have objected and urged the national park authority to reject the application. We consider that such a development is inappropriate in a national park, which is our…

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Dismay at decision to keep Cornish rail-crossing closed

December 27, 2014

A public-inquiry inspector has ruled that the footpath across the railway line near Penzance in Cornwall is to remain closed. The society backed its member, the Friends of Long Rock Mexico Crossing (FOLRMC), the Ramblers and other objectors to the proposed closure of the crossing at the Mexico Inn, Long Rock, Penzance. The case was…

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Wycombe Council rejects plans which threatened common and bridleway

December 23, 2014

Wycombe District Council has rejected a planning application from Bramley Homes which threatened Booker Common and a public bridleway. The application was for two houses on land next to the former Live and Let Live pub at Booker Common, High Wycombe, Bucks. The society was concerned that the development would have an adverse effect on…

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Speak up for commons, open spaces and footpaths in East Sussex

December 8, 2014

The Open Spaces Society is urging everyone who walks, rides or cycles on the commons, open spaces and footpaths of East Sussex to tell East Sussex County Council how important those facilities are to them. The council is conducting a survey of usage of these facilities. You can find it on the consultations page of…

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Commons and the Law training workshop from the Chilterns Commons Project

November 27, 2014

‘Commons are the jewels of the Chilterns,’ declares Nicola Hodgson, our case officer, who is today giving presentations at a workshop at Naphill, Bucks, on the range of legislation which affects common land. The training workshop, Commons and the Law, is part of the Chilterns Commons Project and is for all those involved with the…

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Shropshire beauty-spot under siege

November 27, 2014

The society has objected to proposed development on the slopes of the dramatic Caer Caradoc, near Church Stretton in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The plans, from Morris Property, are for 85 dwellings and 16 holiday units, sprawled over fields immediately to the south-west of Caer Caradoc and east of Church Stretton.…

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Thomas Hardy would turn in his grave

November 25, 2014

We have objected to plans by Kingston Maurward College to build 70 houses on parkland at Thomas Hardy’s hamlet of Lower Bockhampton, Dorset. Hardy was born at nearby Higher Bockhampton in 1840. The society has written to West Dorset District Council pointing out that the development would have a devastating effect on the beautiful village…

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We call for reopening of access to Castle Cove Beach, Weymouth

November 24, 2014

We are backing our member, the Friends of Castle Cove Beach, in its campaign to reopen the blocked access to this lovely beach at Weymouth in Dorset. The society has written to the Chief Executives of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and Dorset County Council expressing ‘deep concern’ about developments at the beach. The Marine…

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We back Dereham Town Council’s action to protect Norfolk common

November 24, 2014

We have congratulated Dereham Town Council in Norfolk for its robust action in defence of the lovely Badley Moor Common. The council has written to the landowner, Mr Anema, asking him to open up the blocked access to the common. The gate leading to the common has been locked for more than three years and…

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Destructive mineral plan for Trent Valley

November 18, 2014

We have objected strongly to plans for mineral extraction in the Shelford Valley on the Trent in Nottinghamshire.  The society is backing Save Shelford Valley in its opposition to this development. The plan is to take minerals from land embraced by a meander of the River Trent.  This would be extremely destructive of open countryside,…

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