Ten-point plan for candidates in Westminster election, May 2010
We published our ten-point plan for candidates in the general election, and asked them to sign up to it. Action plan 1. A right of appeal, and a requirement to provide suitable alternative land, before public open space is taken for another purpose 2. Law change to give county and unitary authorities a duty to…
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Plan to alleygate popular Luton footpath
Luton Borough Council plans to erect locked gates across the popular Beech Hill footpath. The path provides a direct and useful link between Dunstable Road and Ash Road, and to Beech Hill Community Primary School. In 2008 the council abandoned its plan to close the route, which was illegally blocked and, with the Bedfordshire Rights…
Read MoreProtest walk
Join the protest walk at Breaky Bottom, near Rodmell, East Sussex on Saturday 12 June. Meet at Southease station (on the rail line from Lewes to Newhaven and Seaford) at 10.35 am. Our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, with many walkers, will be demonstrating against the exclusion of the public from a piece of freedom-to-roam downland at…
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Maulden footpath reopened at last
The long-blocked Maulden footpath 28, seven miles south of Bedford, has at last been reopened for the public. Maulden footpath number 28 had been illegally blocked by a fence, animal shelter, heap of animal dung, gate, fence and brick wall. (2) Alan Bowers, the owner of land crossed by the path, built a house, number…
Read MoreLancashire County Council should respect footpath at Waterfoot
Lancashire County Council plans to start building the new Waterfoot Primary School at Rawtenstall before the route of the public footpath which crosses the site has been determined. The council applied to move Rawtenstall footpath 237 in order to enable it to build the new school. However, there were many objections, from ourselves and Rossendale…
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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 MoreFencing go-ahead for Wolstanton Common
The environment secretary has approved a plan to erect fencing on common land at Wolstanton, Newcastle under Lyme. The application was from the headteacher of May Bank Infants School (Staffordshire County Council) for consent, under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006, to fence off an area of common land adjoining the school. There will…
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 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…
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