Two commons to be fenced despite our objections
We are sorry that the environment secretary has given consent for fencing, for 20 years, on two commons: Bricketwood Common, near St Albans in Hertfordshire, and Tregonetha Common, near St Columb Major in mid-Cornwall. In both cases the applicant, St Albans Council for Bricketwood and the Cornwall Wildlife Trust for Tregonetha, argued that it was…
Read MoreMumbles developers must observe common-land law
We have written to John Bollom, the managing director of Amusement Equipment Co Ltd which has consent for a major development on the headland and foreshore at Mumbles. The society has reminded Mr Bollom of his company’s obligations regarding common land. The society was among the numerous objectors to the luxury hotel, apartments and associated…
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Dartmoor at 60—unfinished business
‘We congratulate the Dartmoor National Park on its sixtieth birthday—but there is still plenty of unfinished business.’ So declared Kate Ashbrook, our general secretary at an event on Sunday (31 July) at Meldon reservoir, near Okehampton, organised by Devon Ramblers to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the Dartmoor National Park. About 150 people attended. Kate…
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Cancer claims our former chairman Rodney Legg
Our former chairman Rodney Legg, the West Country’s rebel campaigner with a national reputation, has died of cancer, aged 64, on Friday (22 July). Rodney was born in Bournemouth on 18 April 1947. Well-known in the West Country for his numerous publications, on the history and landscape of Dorset in particular, he was also a…
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Bradwell Parish Council secures peace garden for ever
Bradwell Parish Council in Derbyshire has registered the Peace Garden as a village green. This will ensure that this small triangle in the heart of the village is safe for ever. Derbyshire County Council, the commons and greens registration authority, confirmed the registration on 10 May. The Open Spaces Society, which is the leading organisation…
Read MoreWe call for proper recognition of common land
‘It is astonishing that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) failed to mention common land in its recent White Paper, The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature. Common land uniquely provides a wealth of public benefits, for wildlife, landscape, history, archaeology and enjoyment.’ So said Paul Clayden, our vice-president, opening our…
Read MoreGo-ahead for Mumbles development on common land
Swansea Council has given outline planning permission to Amusement Equipment Co Ltd for a major development on the headland and foreshore at Mumbles. The society, the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), Martin Caton MP, and the Gower Society were among the numerous objectors whose concerns have been overruled. Says our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook: ‘The…
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We fight wind turbines on Carmarthenshire commons
We have objected to an application from RES UK & Ireland Ltd to erect 21 wind turbines, with access tracks, road-widening and buildings on two prominent hills in the quiet Carmarthenshire countryside. The site is roughly ten miles south west of Lampeter. The proposal affects two areas of common land, Mynydd Llanllwni and Mynydd Llanfihangel-rhos-y-corn.…
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Sugary Green, Dartmouth, saved
The outstanding natural beauty of Sugary Green (near Castle Cove, Dartmouth) and its breathtaking view of the mouth of the river Dart have been protected for ever. When a major development of the site, with infrastructure and parking, was proposed in 2009, local publisher Richard Webb formed The Friends of Sugary Green, an action group…
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Chiltern common saved from enclosure
We are relieved that the environment secretary has rejected plans by the Nettlebed and District Commons Conservators to erect more than two kilometres of fencing around Kingwood Common in the Oxfordshire Chilterns. The application for works on the common under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006 was heard at a public inquiry in April,…
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