Bovine TB control and commons

Because of the potential effect on common land, we have responded to a consultation from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on proposals for new controls to reduce the risk of bovine TB transmission between cattle herds. We have objected to the proposed amendment to remove the common land pre-movement testing exemption from…

0 Shares
Read More

New plan for golf-course on national-park common

We have objected to a new planning application, from Old Thorns Golf and Country Club, to create a golf-course on a heathland common near Liphook in the South Downs National Park. The golf course will be highly damaging to the superb landscape of the area and people’s enjoyment of it. The development will also interfere…

0 Shares
Read More

Natural England’s new chairman jumps to reopen public paths on his land

Andrew Sells, the new chairman of Natural England, the government’s statutory adviser on countryside recreation, has hastily reopened a blocked right of way across his Wiltshire land following his appointment. Mr Sells, who is a venture capitalist and a major Tory party donor, was scrutinised by the House of Commons’ Environment, Food and Rural Affairs…

0 Shares
Read More

Our Caerphilly activist wins Environmental Champion Award

Maggie Thomas, our local correspondent for Caerphilly, has won the Environmental Champion prize in Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Pride in your Place award, for her work in defending public paths and open spaces. Maggie, who lives in Crosskeys, is also membership secretary for Islwyn Ramblers. Says Maggie: ‘I was thrilled to receive this award on…

0 Shares
Read More

Renewed threat to popular Marlow path

We are dismayed that Harleyford Properties Ltd has renewed its application for planning permission for polo practice at Low Grounds Farm, near Marlow in Bucks. Wycombe District Council rejected a similar application last August because it would interfere with walkers, riders and cyclists using Harleyford Lane. The lane leads from western Marlow to the River…

0 Shares
Read More

Path to Morfa Beach is saved from closure

The path to Morfa Beach, Longlands Lane at Margam in Neath Port Talbot, has been saved from closure. This follows a public inquiry in December 2013 at which the objectors included the society, the Save Morfa Beach campaign group, the Ramblers and many individuals. The inquiry inspector, Mrs Helen Slade, ruled that Longlands Lane (footpath…

0 Shares
Read More

Plan to desecrate Hammersmith Park

We have objected to plans by Playfootball Ltd to build football pitches with a pavilion and car park on Hammersmith Park in west London. Playfootball has submitted a planning application to the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Council. We are concerned that the development will take more than one-third of the public park which…

0 Shares
Read More

Environment Committee tells government it must update the common-land registers

We are delighted that the influential Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee has told the government that it must update the common-land registers or implement legislation to ensure that there are accurate registers of common land for making payments under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The committee’s report, Implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy…

0 Shares
Read More