Archive for February 2018
Protests over abuse of Clapham Common
Our local correspondent Jeremy Clyne has written to Lambeth Council to protest against the exploitation of open space in the borough, and the damage caused. The situation has become so critical that local people are saying the flagship Clapham Common might be better renamed ‘Clapham Commercial’. A large swathe of the common is still fenced…
Read MoreDelight at withdrawal of ‘Zipper-mere’ plan
We are highly relieved that Treetop Trek has withdrawn its planning application for a massive zip-wire development across Thirlmere, in the heart of the Lake District National Park. The proposals included eight cables stretching across the lake, with take-off and landing points, gantries, more car-parking provision and buildings. Treetop Trek claims it has withdrawn the…
Read MoreA celebration at Wittersham, Kent
Twenty-five years ago our member Mavis King succeeded in getting Poplar Farm field and pond, at Wittersham in Kent, registered as a village green, VG235. The 1.5-acre site was threatened with developers and, with our help, Mavis saved it. On 16 November 2017 Mavis unveiled a plaque, which was fixed to a three-ton boulder of…
Read MoreWe call for new open space designation in Wales
We have called on the Welsh Government to introduce a statutory designation for open space, to ensure that it is properly protected and can be enjoyed by local people. The society has responded to the Welsh Government consultation on changes to town and village green legislation in the Planning (Wales) Act 2015. Town and village…
Read MoreLake District zip-wire approval causes dismay
We are dismayed that the Lake District National Park Authority’s Development Control Committee has approved the Honister zip-wire. The application was made by the Honister Slate Mine for an aerial zip-wire and other structures over the Honister Pass in the Lake District National Park The committee overturned the recommendation for refusal from national park planning…
Read MoreBattle of Knutsford Heath
A new ‘Battle of Knutsford Heath’ is brewing in Cheshire East. TV chef Tom Kerridge plans to present ‘Pub in the Park’ on Knutsford Heath, which is protected common land, from 7 to 9 September 2018. We are calling for Knutsford Heath instead to be kept open to the public for quiet recreation. The society…
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