How can you defend the open and green spaces that matter to you?
We are very often asked to advise on protecting open spaces - here is a summary of the options that can be considered. One of the most effective ways for you to stand up for your right to use a local open space is to join the Open Spaces Society. As a charity, we depend on public donations to fund our vital campaigning and legal work.
As a member, you can count on the support of our expert team based at our head office in Henley-on-Thames. Depending on where you live, you may also have a local Open Spaces Society correspondent (our name for volunteer) who may be able to help you. Find out if you have a local correspondent here
What is an open space?
The open spaces we champion come in all shapes and sizes. They can be in the countryside but also in towns.
They are usually spaces people have chosen to use for recreation, whether formal or informal.
The open spaces we are asked to defend often comprise land where the public has a right to wander such as a local green space, or an open space that has no legal protection but which people use.
It could be a stretch of grass where children play, local people go blackberry picking or to enjoy a picnic.
But just because you use it doesn’t mean it’s protected unless you do something about it. Read about some of our campaigning work to protect open spaces here.
Is the local open space you love and use protected? Don’t take it for granted.
Download our toolkit below and find out how to protect your local green space
Get our toolkit
As part of our campaign to save England’s much-loved open spaces, we have published an open spaces toolkit consisting of three handbooks:
How to win local green space through neighbourhood plans
Community assets and protecting open space
Local Green Space Designation
Further resources about Open Spaces
How to protect open spaces
Do you have an open space which needs protecting? Here are some mechanisms to help you take action to protect open space in communities in England and Wales.
Driving and parking on your local green space
Residents often want to be able to stop cars, motorcycles, and even lorries and other large vehicles, from being driven and parked on their local open space for various reasons.
Community Assets and Protecting Open Space
We tell you how to make use of the community asset process to protect your local open space.
Protecting green belt land
Find out more about green belt land including its definition, threats to green belt land, and what you can do.
How can open spaces be protected?
A summary of the basic rules that apply to community open space and its protection for the local community
Court cases - open spaces
Here you can find our commentary for decisions in the courts about open spaces cases.
What local councils can do for public access to town and countryside
Local councils have a unique role in protecting and caring for the open spaces in their areas. This information sheet sets out how they can go about this.
Protecting commons, greens and open spaces training course
Learn the fundamentals on this comprehensive course to include definitions, registration/designation, protection and management.
A problem solved
Read some of the Open Spaces Society's advice and case studies relating to problems when protecting land.
Frequently Asked Questions: Open Spaces
Common questions about open spaces
Government Guidance - Public Access and Rights of Way in England
Insider hacks: three Government publications that will help you to protect public access and rights of way.
Our latest posts on Open Spaces
150th anniversary of landmark act
It’s time to complete unfinished business on commons and greens
What will government’s plans for nature provide for public access?
