We call on Bristol’s Downs Committee to revoke zoo-parking licence
Today (22 April) we shall to call on Bristol’s Downs Committee to revoke the licence it granted in January for the Downs to be used as zoo parking for a further five years. We have also called for the Committee’s role to be reviewed. Our local member Julie Boston will speak about this at the…
Read MoreCrystal Palace campaigners back in court
We are delighted that the Crystal Palace Community Association (CPCA), a member of the society, is to appear in the Court of Appeal on Monday (22 April) in defence of Crystal Palace Park. The CPCA is appealing against the High Court ruling that the Bromley Council owned Crystal Palace Park can be sacrificed for commercial…
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Inspector confirms three new Public Rights of Way in Beadnell, Northumberland.
Peter Gomersall, a member of the society in Northumberland, has told us of a local success. “During the past five years, five well-used footpaths in the small coastal village of Beadnell have been blocked and fenced off. This has been done by developers attempting to build luxury holiday homes. After a vigorous campaign by local…
Read MoreIs no landscape safe? Threat of turbines in Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Community Windpower Ltd wants to erect 10 wind turbines on common land in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Lancashire. The application has been submitted to Lancaster City Council and is the company’s third attempt to put turbines on the lovely Claughton Moor and Whit Moor. We are backing Stop Claughton…
Read MoreGrowth & Infrastructure Bill update
On Tuesday 16 April the House of Commons will debate the amendments which the Lords have made to the Growth and Infrastructure Bill. There are two which concern us—and they ought to concern MPs because they were promoted by the government at a very late stage. They could have been included in the Bill from…
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Charlton Common inquiry adjourned
The public inquiry into a new access-road across Charlton Common in South Gloucestershire opened yesterday (9 April) and was immediately adjourned. The room at the BAWA Club, Filton, was overflowing with objectors from Southmead, Brentry and Henbury, who had not been consulted about the plans and who were angry at what was proposed. The inspector,…
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Our challenge to Wales’s new environmental body
We have welcomed the new environmental body, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), which comes into existence today (1 April) and we have set it a number of challenges. The common land of Wales is immensely important for its natural beauty, wildlife habitats, archaeology, culture and opportunities for informal recreation. Eight per cent of Wales is common…
Read MoreGreen status won for Launceston open space
A threatened open space adjoining Woburn Road, on the south side of Launceston, Cornwall, has been registered as a village green, following a public inquiry last February. The application was made by Mr Philip Wagstaff on behalf of the Woburn Residents’ Association. We helped the association with its claim and are delighted with the result.…
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Runnymede’s plan to build on green belt next to common
We have objected to the policy in Runnymede Borough Council’s draft local plan core strategy which would remove land from the green belt and build 1500 houses there, next to Chobham Common in Surrey. We are concerned that the proposed development adjoins Chobham Common, an important lowland heath with a multitude of designations, which reflects…
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West Beach IS a village green!
The Court of Appeal has upheld the rights of local people to access Newhaven’s sandy West Beach in its judgement handed down today. The three judges who sat at the Royal Courts of Justice in London for three days at the end of March have upheld the appeal of East Sussex County Council and Newhaven…
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