No land swap at Mynydd Lliw Common
An application for the exchange of common land has been rejected by the Welsh Government. DKT Planning Associates applied on behalf of Mrs Elizabeth Jones and Mr Ieuan Mainwaring to swap 1,200 square metres on the north-east side of Mynydd Lliw Common, Grovesend, Swansea, which is close to residential properties for a similar-sized area some…
Read MoreEssex rail-crossing saved for walkers, riders and cyclists
A planning inspector has ruled that Motts Lane crossing of the railway line at Witham, about 10 miles north-east of Chelmsford in Essex, must remain open. The crossing is a public bridleway for use by walkers, horse-riders and cyclists. Network Rail wanted to close the crossing on alleged grounds of safety and offered to provide…
Read MoreWe oppose Somerset sun-factory
We have objected to an application from AEE Renewables for 22,000 solar panels, security fencing and associated equipment on fields in rural Somerset, close to public footpaths. In the application it is called a ‘solar farm’. The site is about a mile east of Shepton Mallet in the parish of Doulting. The planning application will…
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Win at Westfield Common, Woking
A public-inquiry inspector has thrown out plans by Woking Borough Council for a land swap at Westfield Common, Woking in Surrey. The council wanted to build an access road across the common to the potential housing development nearby. The proposal was rejected by inspector Mrs Helen Slade following a public inquiry last June. This is the council’s second…
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Fencing plan rejected on Telscombe Tye Common
A public-inquiry inspector has rejected Telscombe Town Council’s application for fencing of parts of Telscombe Tye Common, north of Peacehaven in East Sussex. The inquiry was held in June this year into the council’s application, under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006, for works on common land. The objectors included the British Horse Society. …
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Meopham’s ‘model’ path-campaign group
‘Meopham and District Footpaths Group is a model for local action groups throughout the country.’ So said our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, at the Meopham Footpath Group’s fiftieth anniversary celebrations today (Saturday 18 August). ‘For the last 50 years the group has combined campaigning for its local paths with an excellent walks programme. The Open…
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Active travel plans for Wales: proceed with caution
We have responded to the Welsh Government’s consultation on the Active Travel (Wales) Bill. While we welcome the focus on walking and cycling, as healthy, sustainable and enjoyable means of travel, we are worried that if the Welsh Government gives the local authorities new duties to create integrated networks for walkers and cyclists, their existing…
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Planning defeat at Crook
We are delighted that a proposed planning application affecting rights of way at Crook in County Durham has been defeated. The proposal involved the change of use of a piece of land to private gardens and the consequent extinguishment under section 247 of the Highways Act of two sections of public right of way affected…
Read MoreAncient Warwickshire landscape under threat
Developers A R Cartwright Ltd propose to build 130 houses on fields at Galley Common, south-west of Nuneaton in Warwickshire. The houses will destroy the route of the promoted Centenary Way and an ancient ridge-and-furrow landscape. We have objected to Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council. Says our local member, Mark Hood: ‘I am opposing this…
Read MoreRescue our secret paths before they are lost for ever
We have called for no implementation of the 2026 cut off for claims to add paths to the definitive map of rights of way until there is in place an efficient system for ensuring that path claims are processed swiftly, and every route which is likely to be a public highway has been claimed. We…
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