What future for Helredale’s open space?
The future of the playing field at Helredale, Whitby, North Yorkshire, is in the balance. Following a disappointing ruling in the court of appeal in October, Helredale Neighbourhood Council (HNC) is hoping to obtain permission to appeal to the supreme court. Read more about it here.
Read More
Delight at rejection of horse complex in Chiltern valley
We are delighted that Wycombe District Council has refused an application for a private equestrian-development in the lovely Skirmett valley, in the heart of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Buckinghamshire. The plan was to demolish the buildings at Stud Farm (now pointlessly renamed Valentine Farm) and replace them with an equestrian complex…
Read MoreAmmunition for fighting landowners’ path-diversions
A recent high court judgment spells out some of the arguments we can use in fighting plans to divert paths which are generated by landowners. Read more about it here.
Read More
Dismay at refusal of village-green status for Cranbrook’s historic meadow
We are sorry to learn that the application to register the Long Field, Cranbrook, Kent, as a village green has been rejected following a public inquiry last September. The 5.2-acre Long Field is at the junction of Angley Road (A229) and Quaker Lane on the north-east side of Cranbrook. It is crossed by two public…
Read MoreWe oppose plans to dig up Swansea’s pearl of a common
We have objected strongly to plans by Carrington Moore Estates, in which the former Welsh rugby captain Andy Moore has an interest, to dig up Picket Mead Common at Newton, Swansea. The developers want to bury underground services (electricity, gas, water, telecoms and drainage) and lay grasscrete on the common, in connection with their planning…
Read More
Vital footpath-link at Halling is added to official map
We are delighted that a footpath across Halling Marsh close to the River Medway is to be added to the official map of public paths for all to enjoy. The 580-metre-long path will fill the gap in an attractive circular walk. The decision to record the footpath was made by an inspector from the Planning…
Read More
People vote for village greens with their feet
We have countered the government’s claim that applications to register land as a town or village green can undermine the democratically-accountable planning process, by pointing out that people vote for greens with their feet. We have sent a briefing to MPs before the report-stage debate on the government’s Growth and Infrastructure Bill on Monday (17…
Read More
Open space commendation goes to Calderdale’s inspiring individual
We have given a special, individual commendation to Jade Smith of Mytholmroyd, Calderdale, for her work on the restoration and improvement of Mytholmroyd’s Memorial Garden. The award was presented on Saturday 1 December as part of Upper Calder Valley’s annual ‘Valley of Lights’ celebration. Jean Macdonald, our vice-chairman, said: ‘We introduced this award last year…
Read More
Parish opposition to Somerset sun-factory
Doulting Parish Council has voted to object to an application from AEE Renewables for a solar farm close to public footpaths in the heart of rural Somerset. We submitted our objection in August. The application is for 22,000 solar panels, security fencing and associated equipment on the slopes of Ingsdons Hill about a mile east…
Read More
Call for open space champions
We have launched our 2013 Open Space Award and are calling for nominations for open space champions. We want to encourage nominations for projects which support our aims to protect, increase, enhance and champion common land, town and village greens, open spaces and public rights of way in England and Wales, and the public’s right…
Read More