Latest News

We back campaign for access to water

January 21, 2020

The society is backing the Clear Access, Clear Waters campaign by British Canoeing, to increase the public’s opportunities to gain access to water. The campaign aligns with the society’s objectives of promoting public enjoyment of rivers, canals and lakes, whether in or on the water or providing access to it. British Canoeing is campaigning for…

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Our general secretary wins bronze award

January 16, 2020

Our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, has won bronze in The Great Outdoors magazine’s Campaigner of the Year Award, following a vote from members of the public. Described by one voter as ‘inspirational in her constant drive to keep footpaths open’, Kate came third to environmental campaigners Greta Thunberg and Chris Packham. Says Kate: ‘I am…

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Farndon Fields public bridleway blocked

We deplore Leicestershire County Council’s failure to protect public bridleway near Market Harborough

December 30, 2019

We are deeply concerned about the failure of Leicestershire County Council to protect public bridleway A105, at Farndon Fields to the west of Market Harborough, from development. The society has been supporting its local member Peter Pollak in his effort to get the route reopened. Harborough District Council, gave planning consent to Avant Homes to…

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We help to stop quarry extension on West Yorkshire common

December 17, 2019

Consent has been refused for the enclosure and quarrying of 1.25 hectares of common land near Haworth in the Bradford district of West Yorkshire. The application was made by The Mineral Planning Group, under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006 for consent for works on common land.  Such consent is needed in addition to…

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Supreme Court overrides rights of local communities on village greens

December 12, 2019

We have expressed deep sympathy for our members, Janine Bebbington and the Moorside Fields Community Group in Lancaster, following the Supreme Court judgment(1) on 11 December rejecting the registration of the fields as a village green.  See our summary of the judgment here. This will have a huge impact on the ability of local communities…

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Crawlaw Rigg, Lartington High Moor

We help to save Bowes Moor, County Durham, from enclosure

December 2, 2019

We are delighted that consent has been refused for nearly six kilometres of fencing on Bowes Moor common in County Durham1. The application was made under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006 for consent for works on common land. Such applications are determined by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State…

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Bob Embleton / Footpath to Trehumfrey Farm

We save Shropshire footpath from diversion

November 19, 2019

We have saved 100 metres of a footpath at Berrington, about four miles south-east of Shrewsbury, from being moved. Shropshire Council promoted the proposal on behalf of the landowner. Because we objected to the formal order, it was referred to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Planning Inspectorate determined…

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Mass protest against missing Thames-side footbridge at Fawley

November 19, 2019

On Saturday 16 November more than 150 people, from Henley-on-Thames and beyond, joined a rally to protest at the year-long closure of Fawley footpath 12 due to a missing footbridge at Fawley Court in Buckinghamshire. The closure is forcing walkers onto the dangerous A4155 Henley-to-Marlow road. The protest was organised by the Ramblers Henley and…

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Missed opportunity to protect open spaces in Wales

November 14, 2019

We have responded to the Welsh government’s consultation on its National Development Framework (NDF) and raised concerns about the impact on the landscape and tourism, and the missed opportunities for protecting open space. The NDF is a new development plan which will set the direction for development in Wales from 2020 to 2040.  It contains…

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The Ethical Gift

November 10, 2019

Would you like to find a present for outdoorsy friends or family with a conscience? Ethical and environmentally friendly gifts are increasingly popular and rightly so. The Open Spaces Society is a small charity that fights to conserve and promote our environment by seeking protection for paths and open spaces, so that everyone can enjoy…

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