Planning protection for commons and greens in Wales

In our response to the consultation Planning for Sustainability, we have called on the Welsh Government to give extra protection to commons and village greens during the planning process. We propose a compulsory question on the planning-application form, to ask whether the application will affect any common or village green. If the answer is yes,…

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Waveney wind-developers back down

Stamford Renewables Ltd has withdrawn its appeal against Waveney District Council’s refusal of planning permission for three wind-turbines and associated paraphernalia in the lovely Waveney valley in Suffolk. The development, at Laurels Farm, Barsham, near Beccles would have been an eyesore in the lovely valley, and destroyed part of High Common on either side of…

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Yeadon Banks green space is safe for ever

We are delighted that the Supreme Court has refused to allow Leeds Group plc to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s ruling that Yeadon Banks, Leeds, should be registered as a green. This means that the registration of Yeadon Banks is confirmed, and the 2.2-hectare site is safe from development. We backed the applicant for…

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West Sussex takes a lead in protecting commons and greens

We have congratulated West Sussex County Council for taking a lead in helping all the planning authorities in its area to take account of registered common land and village greens when considering planning applications. West Sussex has offered all the districts its most up-to-date GIS data layer for commons and greens which would enable the…

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Autumn 2011 – New threats to green spaces

Autumn Appeal 2011 – the new threats to green spaces Click here to read our response to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with regard to their consultation on village greens. Click here to read our response to government on the National Planning Policy Framework. Please complete and return the form below if…

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New plans for hidden highways

We are pleased that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is today (Monday 14 May) launching a public consultation about plans to make it easier to get England’s official map of public paths up to date. The ‘definitive’ maps of rights of way are lamentably incomplete. There are many public footpaths, bridleways…

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Natural England announces next phase of coastal access

We are delighted that, in the week when the Wales Coast Path was opened, Natural England has announced that it will start work on access to the next five stretches of England’s coast. These are: Durham, Hartlepool and Sunderland (Seaton Carew to South Bents) Cumbria (Allonby to Whitehaven) Kent (Ramsgate to Folkestone) Norfolk (Weybourne to…

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Chorleywood Common

Chorleywood Common is an amazing place.  Within a mile of the M25 and surrounded by roads and railways, it survives as a wild oasis, breathtakingly lovely with its wide open spaces and mixed woodland.  It is a reminder, in miniature, of our pre-inclosure landscapes.  It is enjoyed by walkers and riders, residents and visitors of…

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Spotlight on commons

BBC Radio 4 Farming Today is this week shining the spotlight on our common land. In every programme from 30 April to 4 May there is an interview about commons and their role in present-day society. The OSS was featured on Chorleywood Common, Hertfordshire, on Friday 4 May, discussing the parish council’s contentious fencing scheme…

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