Go Ape gets go-ahead at Lever Park
Chorley Council has given retrospective consent to Adventure Forest Ltd for a Go Ape development in the historic Lever Park at Rivington in Lancashire. The consent is for two zip-wire landing sites in the park which were constructed without the necessary planning permission. We opposed the development because it conflicts with the Liverpool Corporation Act…
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Fighting a horsey development in Chiltern beauty spot
We have joined the protestors against proposed development in the lovely Skirmett valley in the heart of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Buckinghamshire. The society, with the Bucks Ramblers and many others, has submitted to Wycombe District Council a strong objection to plans to demolish the buildings at Stud Farm (now pointlessly…
Read MoreGovernment’s ‘red-tape challenge’ focuses on environment
Please respond to the government’s red-tape challenge which, until 21 September, focuses on the environment. You can comment here . Government is consulting on the abolition of regulations which crucially affect our work on open spaces and paths, such as those relating to commons, open access, public rights of way, national parks and areas of outstanding…
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Our open day at Northwick Park
On Saturday 3 September the society held its open day at Northwick Park, in the London Borough of Brent. It was hosted by our feisty Northwick Park Group at St Cuthbert’s Hall and 34 people attended. Margaret Roake from the Northwick Park Group gave us a short history of Harrow. She spoke of how Harrow became popular as commuter…
Read MoreThreat to Leicestershire common
We have objected to a proposed development which would encroach on common land at Great Bowden, one mile north of Market Harborough in Leicestershire. The proposed development, by Mulberry Land Planning and Developments Ltd, is for housing on land at Fernie Hunt Stables, Nether Green, Great Bowden. One of the proposed gardens is on registered…
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Ellonby Common saved from damaging development
We are relieved about the rejection of a development which would have damaged Ellonby Common, five miles north-west of Penrith in Cumbria. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has rejected an appeal from Mr J Wilson for a bungalow in a field next to Gill Forge, Ellonby. The site adjoins the common…
Read MoreConsent for private works on Pembrokeshire common
The Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development has approved an application for an extension to a property on common land in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The society objected to the application for works on Cyffredin Common, under section 194 of the Law of Property Act 1925, from Mr G Price of New House, Cyffredin,…
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We fight wind turbines in the beautiful Waveney Valley
We have objected to the appeal, by Stamford Renewables Ltd, against Waveney District Council’s refusal of planning permission for wind turbines and associated paraphernalia at Laurels Farm, Barsham, near Beccles in Suffolk. The society has argued that the development would result in the widening and destruction of the ancient Clarke’s Lane which follows a narrow,…
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Open Spaces Society congratulates ‘pioneering’ commoners’ council
‘The Dartmoor Commoners’ Council has been a pioneer for commons management.’ So says Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society on the 25th anniversary of the first meeting of the Dartmoor Commoners’ Council on 18 August 1986. The council was set up following implementation of the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 which, uniquely, also…
Read MoreCaldicot school path saved
Monmouthshire County Council’s plan to close part of the footpath which crosses the grounds of Castle Park Primary School, Caldicot, has been thrown out by Welsh ministers. A planning inspector, Heidi Cruickshank, ruled on the proposal on behalf of the ministers. The footpath, number 28, is enclosed by fencing and runs across the school playing-field.…
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