Archive for October 2025
Public rights on green spaces to be expunged?
An amendment[1] to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, due to be debated in the House of Lords on Monday 3 November, aims to remove long-standing public rights on green spaces when the land is sold by a local authority. We are urging peers to oppose it. The amendment would make it much easier for local…
Read MoreHawkhurst Moor, Kent, protected for ever
Hawkhurst Moor, Kent, protected for ever We have welcomed the restoration of Hawkhurst Moor to the register of town or village greens which will confer lasting protection. Hawkhurst is 19 kilometres south-east of Tunbridge Wells. The Moor was registered by Hawkhurst Parish Council in 1967 without objection as a town or village green. But Wye…
Read MoreEmma’s opportunity
Our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, urges the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, to act for access. Kate welcomes Emma to the role and writes: We hope Emma will bring change where now there is stagnation. Let’s hope she recognises that public access, too often relegated to the bottom…
Read MoreOur new advocate for paths and green spaces in Ealing
We have appointed Kit Cawthorn as our local correspondent for the London Borough of Ealing. Kit is studying to become a barrister and, upon gaining pupillage, hopes to develop a specialism in land law. He is keen to defend open spaces and paths, and to develop and apply his growing knowledge to his new role. …
Read MoreWiltshire councillors must reject rail-crossing closure
Update from 09 October 2025: We are delighted that Wiltshire councillors have rejected Network Rail’s proposed closure of the Penleigh level-crossing in Westbury. The Western Area Planning Committee unanimously opposed the plan at its meeting on 8 October (you can watch it here). The proposal was to close the direct, 20-metre path across the railway…
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