We fight greenspace grab in Henley
We are objecting to plans by international land-agents Chesterton Commercial (Oxon) Ltd to stop up the public highway at Bell Street, Henley-on-Thames for private parking spaces. The plans will be considered at a public inquiry starting on Tuesday 7 August. The society will be represented, along with the Chiltern Society, by our local member David…
Read MoreWaltham Forest Council skimps on path width
We have criticised Waltham Forest Council for failing to show the full width of a public path in an order to add the route to the definitive map of public rights of way. We believe that the applicant for the path produced evidence to show that the full width should be shown on the official…
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We oppose land swap in Rhondda village
We have objected to plans to swap part of the village green, at Chapel Street, Blaencwm, to allow development. Glaister Russell Developments Ltd has applied to the Environment Minister for permission to deregister 238 square metres of the green and to provide land in exchange, under section 16 of the Commons Act 2006. Says Jay…
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Isle of Wight may be included in coastal-access plan
We are delighted that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is considering whether it should extend the coastal-access provisions of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to the Isle of Wight. The Act excludes from coastal access any island to which it is not possible to walk from the mainland at any…
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Update on development next to Ibstone Common
We are delighted to report that on 6 June 2012, Wycombe District Council rejected this application because the development would cause adverse visual detriment to the special landscape character and scenic beauty of the Chilterns AONB and would harm the rural character and appearance of the surrounding open countryside, and the access track would visually…
Read MoreThe fight for Flintshire open space
We have opposed plans to use part of an open space, at Bradshaw Avenue, Saltney Ferry, for a replacement scout hut and associated works with fencing. The society has objected to Flintshire County Council, the planning authority. This proposal would reduce the informal playing area on this open space by 60 per cent, and the…
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Victory on West Hoathly footpath
A valued public footpath at West Hoathly, near East Grinstead in West Sussex, has been saved from diversion following a public inquiry last April. Paul Brown and West Hoathly Parish Council, both members of the Open Spaces Society, appeared at the inquiry as objectors. The public-inquiry inspector, Mr Michael Aldous of the Planning Inspectorate, refused…
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Community champion praised for inspirational efforts
The singular determination of a Yorkshire woman to inspire her local community and return a memorial garden to its former glory has been celebrated in the inaugural Open Space Award. Judges have awarded Jade Smith a commendation for her extraordinary contribution to Royd Regeneration, a community-driven project in Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire. Royd Regeneration was one…
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Victory for Surrey campaigners who saved wild meadow
An ambitious community campaign to preserve a threatened 30-acre beauty spot in Farnham has been named winner of the first-ever Open Space Award. The amazing success of The Bishop’s Meadow Trust impressed judges from Open Spaces Society and earned it the top spot, despite strong competition nationwide. Jo Aylwin, chairman of the trust, attended the…
Read MoreKendal village green saved from golfing development
South Lakeland District Council has refused planning consent to Kendal Golf Club for a covered driving-range on Kendal Fell, a Cumbrian village green. The planning authority rejected the application principally because it would be visually intrusive and over-prominent in the landscape, and it would be detrimental to the public’s use and enjoyment of the land.…
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