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Today, 16 April 2025, the public gains the right to walk on newly-registered common land on the Clinton Devon Estates at Woodbury, east Devon. This is thanks to an agreement between the estate and the society.
Kate Ashbrook and John Varley photographed together on the newly-registered common land. Photo: Open Spaces Society
In November 2023 Clinton Devon Estates sought consent under section 16 of the Commons Act 2006 to deregister 1.7 hectares (4.2 acres) of degraded common land at Blackhill Quarry, and replace it with 3.4 hectares (8.4 acres) in total, consisting of six separate parcels nearby.
The existing common was being used for industrial purposes, and the estate wished to install a battery-energy storage facility and associated infrastructure there. The land was therefore not available to the public, despite being registered as common with rights under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW). The proposed replacement land comprises long-standing, unregistered, wooded inclosures within the common.
However, we were concerned that the right to walk on the exchange land would not kick in until the CROW maps were reviewed, probably around 2031, which the society felt was too long to wait.
So we suggested, and Clinton Devon agreed, to provide, a deed of access under section 16 of CROW to give the public the right to walk on the exchange land six months after the date of the deed, ie on 16 April 2025. Horse riders and cyclists also have access to the exchange land on a permissive basis (as they do now to Woodbury Common as a whole).
Says our general secretary Kate Ashbrook: ‘It is grand that from today the public has the right to walk on the replacement land and can enjoy exploring it. Clinton Devon has shown a fine example to other landowners of how they can expand public access.’
John Varley, CEO of Clinton Devon Estates, says: ‘We are delighted to have been able to bring about this new right of walk on the land ahead of the review of the CROW maps. The new common land is accessible, larger, and of far higher amenity value than the industrial land which is being deregistered. This is a win all round.’