Archive for November 2014
Commons and the Law training workshop from the Chilterns Commons Project
‘Commons are the jewels of the Chilterns,’ declares Nicola Hodgson, our case officer, who is today giving presentations at a workshop at Naphill, Bucks, on the range of legislation which affects common land. The training workshop, Commons and the Law, is part of the Chilterns Commons Project and is for all those involved with the…
Read MoreShropshire beauty-spot under siege
The society has objected to proposed development on the slopes of the dramatic Caer Caradoc, near Church Stretton in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The plans, from Morris Property, are for 85 dwellings and 16 holiday units, sprawled over fields immediately to the south-west of Caer Caradoc and east of Church Stretton.…
Read MoreThomas Hardy would turn in his grave
We have objected to plans by Kingston Maurward College to build 70 houses on parkland at Thomas Hardy’s hamlet of Lower Bockhampton, Dorset. Hardy was born at nearby Higher Bockhampton in 1840. The society has written to West Dorset District Council pointing out that the development would have a devastating effect on the beautiful village…
Read MoreWe call for reopening of access to Castle Cove Beach, Weymouth
We are backing our member, the Friends of Castle Cove Beach, in its campaign to reopen the blocked access to this lovely beach at Weymouth in Dorset. The society has written to the Chief Executives of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and Dorset County Council expressing ‘deep concern’ about developments at the beach. The Marine…
Read MoreWe back Dereham Town Council’s action to protect Norfolk common
We have congratulated Dereham Town Council in Norfolk for its robust action in defence of the lovely Badley Moor Common. The council has written to the landowner, Mr Anema, asking him to open up the blocked access to the common. The gate leading to the common has been locked for more than three years and…
Read MoreFirle Estate – tax free and for what?
The Firle Estate, near Lewes in East Sussex contains some of the most iconic walking landscape in the country, including the Firle Beacon stretch of the South Downs Way. So it might not surprise you to learn that the Estate has obtained exemption from inheritance tax (2) on nearly all the estate (3) in return…
Read MoreDestructive mineral plan for Trent Valley
We have objected strongly to plans for mineral extraction in the Shelford Valley on the Trent in Nottinghamshire. The society is backing Save Shelford Valley in its opposition to this development. The plan is to take minerals from land embraced by a meander of the River Trent. This would be extremely destructive of open countryside,…
Read MoreWe object to new houses next to Booker Common and bridleway
We have objected to a planning application from Bramley Homes for two houses on land next to the former Live and Let Live pub at Booker Common, High Wycombe, Bucks. The society is concerned that the development could have an adverse effect on the adjoining Booker Common and public bridleway. The planning statement does not…
Read MoreGood Hants, bad Hants?
Hampshire County Council has a long, solid record in good countryside-management. For decades the council has led in providing better access for all and in countryside interpretation. It owns a number of well-managed country parks, commons and nature reserves. It pioneers a lottery-funded project, Providing Access to Hampshire’s Heritage (PATHH), to recruit and train volunteers…
Read MoreCampaigners condemn common-land swap for motorsport development
We have joined the Brecon Beacons Park Society and Gwent Wildlife Trust in condemning the Heads of the Valleys Development Company’s proposed land swap to enable it to build the Circuit of Wales motorsports development. We are among those who have sent strong objections to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS). Because the development would take more than…
Read More