Latest News

Wales apes England in changing law to destroy village greens

October 6, 2014

The society is dismayed that the Welsh Government proposes to copy England’s law and boost developers in destroying village greens. The Welsh Government in its Planning Bill, published today (6 October), copies England’s Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013. It prohibits the registration of land as a town or village green where it has been identified…

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Wales apes England and proposes law which will destroy village greens

October 6, 2014

We are dismayed that the Welsh Government proposes to copy England’s law and boost developers in destroying village greens. The Welsh Government in its Planning Bill, published today (6 October), copies England’s Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013. It prohibits the registration of land as a town or village green where it has been identified for…

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Saving an important route in Cwmcarn Forest, Caerphilly

September 22, 2014

Some months ago, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) made it known that as part of the plans to counteract the spread of Phytophthora ramorum (Larch disease) it would be felling all the larch trees in Cwmcarn Forest and closing the Forest Drive. Cwmcarn is alone in Wales in having a drive as well as cycling trails,…

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Saltney Ferry open space saved

September 1, 2014

The North Street Football Pitch at Saltney Ferry, Flintshire, has been saved as an open space for ever more.  The space has been protected under the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge, by Fields in Trust. The Open Spaces Society objected to a planning application to develop the site and is delighted that it is now…

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We fight windfarm in the heart of rural Powys

August 28, 2014

We have objected to plans for seven wind-turbines in the quiet countryside five miles east of Llandrindod Wells, Powys.  Hendy Wind Farm Ltd has applied to Powys County Council for planning permission Hendy Wind Farm Ltd has applied to Powys County Council for planning permission for the turbines and ancillary development, including an access road,…

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We fight proposed wind turbine in Herefordshire

August 19, 2014

We have objected to an application for a wind turbine, access track, hard-standing, substation and temporary construction-compound in rural Herefordshire. The planning application has been submitted by g2 Energy Renewable Developments Ltd for a 77-metre-high turbine at Halfridge Farm, Pippins Hill, Acton Beauchamp. Our local correspondent, Peter Newman, has written to Herefordshire Council, the planning…

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We slate Caerphilly Council

August 7, 2014

We have criticised Caerphilly County Borough Council for claiming that its legal duties to maintain public paths are merely discretionary. The council’s online survey on its budget, ‘help us to shape your services’, asks for the public’s views on what it calls ‘discretionary services’ It includes in these ‘Country parks, including public rights of way…

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Cross-compliance on public paths should apply in Wales

July 21, 2014

We have urged the Welsh Government to require that landowners and occupiers who receive agri-environment funding keep the public paths on their land in good order. The society was responding to the government’s consultation on Common Agricultural Policy reform and cross-compliance. We have said that owners or occupiers who receive public funds for the management…

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All-party support for village greens in Wales

May 3, 2014

There was all-party support in the National Assembly for Wales for maintaining the current laws for registering greens.  The debate was initiated on 30 April by Suzy Davies, Conservative Assembly Member (AM) for South Wales West and Shadow Minister for Welsh Culture, Language and Tourism.  Suzy asked the Minister for Natural Resources and Food, Alun…

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New green for residents of Talybont, Ceredigion

May 1, 2014

We are delighted that local people have succeeded in registering land at Talybont, Ceredigion, as a village green.  The land, known as Patchyn Plant, is on the east side of the Maes-y-deri housing estate. The application for green status was made to Ceredigion Council by Ms Sue Jones-Hughes in November 2011 on the ground that…

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