Faircote Hall fiasco
Wealden District Council has given retrospective planning consent for a riding arena at Faircote Hall and stud, Hartfield in East Sussex, and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has refused the society’s request to call in the controversial application. The arena had been built unlawfully, without planning consent. Furthermore, it crosses a…
Read MoreWarlingham village green wins protection
A new village green has been registered in Surrey and saved from development. The green, known as The Back Green, is in Sunnybank, near Warlingham. We have congratulated the applicant Lee Fishwick, and those in the community who supported the application. Surrey County Council, the registration authority, agreed on 16 December 2009 to register the…
Read MoreNew path is won at Emmer Green
Our member Paul Gallagher of the Emmer Green Resident’s Association, and local residents, have succeeded in claiming a footpath, from Russet Glade to Jefferson Close, Emmer Green, Reading, for the definitive map of public paths. This follows a four-year campaign, culminating in a public inquiry in April at which there were three objectors. Mr Gallagher…
Read MoreThanet’s plans to sell off open space
We have deplored plans by Thanet District Council to sell off open spaces, which will be discussed at an extraordinary cabinet meeting on 20 May. The cabinet will hear from members of the public on its ‘potential asset disposal sites’ and will take a decision on the sell-off at a later date. There are plans…
Read MoreFencing plan for Kingwood Common
We have objected to the proposed fencing of Kingwood Common, near Nettlebed in Oxfordshire. The society is consulted by law on all applications for works on common land, under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006. The society has written to the Planning Inspectorate to object to the plans submitted by the Nettlebed and District…
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Development which threatens ‘Poohsticks path’ should be called in
We have called on the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to call in the controversial application for a riding arena across a public footpath at Hartfield in East Sussex. The path is used by walkers heading to the famous Poohsticks Bridge in Ashdown Forest. Wealden District Council’s Planning Sub-Committee North is due…
Read MoreOxford green spaces walk on Sunday 27 June
The Oxfordshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England is organising a sponsored circular walk around Oxford’s green spaces, visiting Trap Grounds and Warneford Meadow, which have been registered as greens, and Oxpens Meadow which is pending. Details are on www.cpreoxon.org.uk
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We fight microlights in North Bucks countryside
We have objected to a planning application for retrospective consent to fly microlight aircraft from Bernwood Farm, Botolph Claydon, in north Buckinghamshire. Botolph Claydon and its surroundings are extremely tranquil and unspoilt, unusually so for Buckinghamshire. The microlight aircraft, which are being flown here unlawfully, without planning permission, destroy the peace of the area. In…
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Henley Town Council dedicates its green
We have praised Henley-on-Thames Town Council for setting an example to others. The society sent a message to the mayor, Councillor Mrs Elizabeth Hodgkin, to read out during the dedication of Gillott’s Field as a town green, at a town picnic on Sunday 25 April. The town council owns Gillott’s Field, a beauty-spot on the…
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Cavendish village green in Suffolk is voted liveliest in country
TruGreen, the world’s largest professional lawn care company, together with The Sunday Telegraph, Life, has named Cavendish Village Green in Suffolk the liveliest in the country. Entrants were invited to send a picture and 50 words on why they thought their nominated village green was the liveliest in the country to the judges at TruGreen…
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