Posts by Abbie Cavendish
Our new activist in Wiltshire
We have appointed Becky Dymond as our local correspondent in north-west Wiltshire. Becky takes on four parishes (Biddestone, Box, Colerne, and North Wraxall) where she will respond to proposals to alter the routes of public rights of way, assist in claiming paths for the definitive map, and defend commons, greens, and other open spaces for people to enjoy. Becky is a horse-rider and is out riding around the countryside…
Read MoreOur victory on map scales
We have compelled the Planning Inspectorate to adopt new internal guidelines on the maps used for common-land applications. In October 2024 Moreton C Cullimore (Gravels) Ltd, represented by Burges Salmon LLP, applied to the Planning Inspectorate under section 16 of the Commons Act 2006 to deregister and replace a hectare of Lower Cow Pasture, part of Shuthonger Common north…
Read MoreWe deplore proposed cut to statutory-planning advisors
We have slated plans by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) to strip powers from the Gardens Trust and Sport England, which are statutory consultees in the planning process. We say this poses a threat to vital green spaces throughout England. We were responding to MHCLG’s consultation on Reforms to the Statutory Consultee System. There are currently 27 bodies which are statutory…
Read MoreOpen Spaces Society celebrates new town green in Swaffham, Norfolk
We’re delighted to have won a new town green in Swaffham, Norfolk. The land is to the east of the town between Norwich Road and North Pickenham Road. The society negotiated the registration of the green within BDW Trading Ltd’s development in exchange for withdrawing its objection to the diversion of a footpath across the site. The society’s…
Read MoreWe call for legislation to open Starmer’s love of walking to all
We are pressing the government for early legislation for access, and have written to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, following his enthusiastic words about the value of walking and contact with nature. Says Kate Ashbrook, our general secretary: ‘We were encouraged to hear that the Prime Minister loves to go for a walk on…
Read MoreActivists press government to act for access
Activists for greater rights of public access to the countryside, gathering at Hebden Bridge town hall in Calderdale on 29 November, called on the government to legislate for access to the land and inland waters of England for outdoor recreation and enjoyment of nature. This was the eve of the 25th anniversary of the landmark…
Read MorePopular path at Ashby de la Zouch reopened
A long-closed footpath in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, has today been reopened, thanks to the efforts of campaigners, including the Ashby Footpaths Group and North West Leicestershire MP Amanda Hack. Footpath O89, part of an ancient route which runs from the new Money Hill car-park to the top of North Street, has been closed…
Read MoreWe welcome Lambeth Council’s climb-down over commercial events in Brockwell Park
We congratulate our member, Protect Brockwell Park (PBP), for stopping Lambeth Council from pursuing an appeal over its commercial events plan, which PBP had blocked in the High Court[1]. The society was poised to back PBP in the Appeal Court this week with a grant from its Legal-Action Fund, but Lambeth Council decided to withdraw…
Read MoreWelcome steps for access—but where is the timetable?
The society is pleased that the government has set out some encouraging steps for more and better public access in its Environmental Improvement Plan (published 1 December), but we want to know when they will happen. We welcome the government’s plans to ‘consult on measures to ensure that everyone has access to nature close to…
Read More‘Step up for access’: call to government on landmark law’s 25th anniversary
On the 25th anniversary of the landmark Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act[1] , we challenge government to celebrate its predecessor’s achievement—and to act now to improve people’s access to the countryside and green spaces. Kate Ashbrook, our general secretary, is speaking at a national conference, Freedom to Roam; the Next Step, at Hebden…
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