Latest News

Secretary of State to consider revoking planning permission to build on Dundonald Rec, Merton

October 28, 2014

We were represented at a meeting with Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, at the House of Commons on Monday 27 October in support of our member, Protect Dundonald Rec Campaign Group. The campaigners for Dundonald Rec asked the Minister to exercise his power to revoke the planning permission granted by…

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Public hearing for Ealing’s Haven Green

September 24, 2014

The Friends of Haven Green and the Open Spaces Society are defending Haven Green (which is common land) at a hearing on Thursday 25 September. Ealing Council wants to widen a footway, erect temporary fencing, renew the footways and swap the land occupied by the old bus-layby, which will become common, for other land which…

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A blight on Hackney Marshes

September 12, 2014

We have objected to plans from the London Borough of Hackney to develop part of Hackney Marshes (East) for a car park and (North) for a pavilion with car park.  We are backing our member the Hackney Marshes User Group which has for some time been protesting about the proposals.  The marshes are registered common land and…

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We fight commercial use of public open space in Dulwich

January 7, 2014

We have opposed a planning application for a commercial children’s day-nursery on Dulwich sports ground at Turney Road in Southwark.  The application has been made by Southwark Community Sports Trust to provide revenue for the trust to maintain the sports ground.  There are many local objectors including the Friends of Belair Park. We consider that…

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Plan to desecrate Hammersmith Park

December 6, 2013

We have objected to plans by Playfootball Ltd to build football pitches with a pavilion and car park on Hammersmith Park in west London. Playfootball has submitted a planning application to the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Council. We are concerned that the development will take more than one-third of the public park which…

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We back Friends of Putney Common’s court action

December 2, 2013

We have pledged financial support for the Friends of Putney Common’s appeal-court action to save the common from road-building. The Friends, a member of OSS, are appealing against the high court’s refusal to stop the Wimbledon and Putney Common Conservators, owner of the common, from allowing Wandsworth Council to build private roads on Putney Lower…

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We object to council plans for Haven Green Common, Ealing

September 16, 2013

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…

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Londoners asked for their views on green spaces

August 20, 2013

Londoners are being asked for their views on how green spaces in the capital are managed in the light of increasing concerns that budget cuts and building developments will put them at risk. The London Assembly environment committee has undertaken a survey which will allow participants to give their priorities for green spaces and to…

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Crystal Palace challenge refused

May 2, 2013

We are dismayed that the challenge by the Crystal Palace Community Association (CPCA) in the Court of Appeal, against the approval of the Crystal Palace Park masterplan for development of the park, has been rejected. Three Lords of Appeal found against the CPCA at a hearing on Tuesday 23 April 2013.  They rejected the submission…

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Crystal Palace campaigners back in court

April 18, 2013

We are delighted that the Crystal Palace Community Association (CPCA), a member of the society, is to appear in the Court of Appeal on Monday (22 April) in defence of Crystal Palace Park. The CPCA is appealing against the High Court ruling that the Bromley Council owned Crystal Palace Park can be sacrificed for commercial…

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