We object to council plans for Haven Green Common, Ealing
We have backed our member The Friends of Haven Green in opposing plans from Ealing Council to widen footways across Haven Green Common. Because the works are on common land, the council needs the consent of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006. The…
Read MoreGood outcome for Lobden Common, Lancashire
We are relieved that the Planning Inspectorate has imposed conditions on the Lobden Golf Club’s proposed upgraded road across Lobden Common, Whitworth in Lancashire, to mitigate its adverse effect on the common. Lobden Golf Club wanted to upgrade and tarmac the road in front of the golf club. Because this is on common land, the…
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Another nail in the village greens’ coffin
We have warned communities throughout England that on 1 October new laws take effect which will further erode their rights to save their green spaces by registering them as a town or village green. The society fears that the changes will be particularly detrimental at a time when open space for communities is so vulnerable.…
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We slate plan to close Cornish rail-crossing
We have objected strongly to Cornwall Council’s order to close a vital footpath across the railway line near Penzance, Cornwall. This pedestrian crossing at the Mexico Inn, Long Rock, provides an important short-cut for walkers. The alternative route is nearly a kilometre long. Cornwall Council is persisting with its plan to close the crossing, despite…
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Equestrians recognised as vulnerable road-users by Welsh Government
We welcome the inclusion of equestrians among vulnerable road-users in the Welsh Government’s recently-released Road Safety Framework for Wales, which sets out its approach to road safety until 2020.* The Welsh Government’s decision to put horses alongside pedestrians and cyclists follows lobbying led by the British Horse Society along with Open Spaces Society members. It…
Read MoreDevelopment approved on Llanberis common
We are dismayed that Gwynedd Council’s planning committee has yesterday (2 September) approved a pump-storage power-station on common land at Glyn Rhonwy quarry above Llanberis, on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park. In objecting, we called on Gwynedd Council to ensure the developer, The Quarry Battery Co Ltd from London, was aware that works…
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South Bristol link road’s damage to commons and paths
We have objected to the proposed South Bristol Link Road, because of the damage it will cause to Highridge Common, south-west of Bristol, and to the public-path network. Our local correspondent for Bristol, Chris Bloor, has submitted a robust objection to Bristol and North Somerset Councils who are promoting the scheme. Says Chris: ‘We are…
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We back Whitstable campaign group’s call local green space
We have backed our member, the Whitstable Beach Campaign, in its call for Whitstable Beach in Kent to be designated as a Local Green Space in Canterbury City Council’s Local Plan. Very few such spaces have yet been designated under the government’s National Planning Policy Framework, but we believe that Whitstable Beach fulfils the criteria…
Read MoreMinister rules that ‘Circuit of Wales’ development will not be called in
We are distressed that Carl Sargeant, the Minister for Housing and Regeneration in the Welsh Government, has ruled that the application for the ‘Circuit of Wales’ motor-racing centre will not be called in, but left for Blaenau Gwent Council to determine as it sees fit. The council has already granted outline consent to the Heads…
Read MorePolo plans rejected because of danger to byway
Wycombe District Council has rejected a planning application for polo practice at Low Grounds Farm, near Marlow in Bucks, because it would interfere with walkers, riders and cyclists using Harleyford Lane. The application was for change of use of land from agricultural use to polo practice and would have resulted in heavy use of Harleyford…
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