Latest News

Our application to register land as common at Carn Brea, Cornwall

August 20, 2019

We are aware that local people are concerned at our application to re-register a small area of land at Carn Brea in Cornwall as common land. In fact, registration of the land as common will have no adverse effect on Carn Brea castle, the restaurant or people’s use or enjoyment of them. The registration will…

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Unlawful fence removed from Nottinghamshire common

August 13, 2019

Nottinghamshire County Council has persuaded a householder to remove an unlawful fence from Hanging Hill Lane common, Normanton-on-Trent. We urged the council to act after the environment secretary rejected a retrospective application for works on common land. The common is a long strip, consisting of Hanging Hill Lane and a broad verge on either side.…

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Finsbury Park

Finsbury Park is vital for our health and well-being

August 13, 2019

‘Finsbury Park, and other open spaces in London and beyond, are vital for our health and well-being.’ So said Kate Ashbrook, our general secretary, at celebrations to mark Finsbury Park’s 150th anniversary. Kate was taking part in a discussion group, with Catherine West, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, and Hugh White, chair of the…

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Viscar common

Viscar Common, Cornwall, restored to commons register

August 1, 2019

We are delighted that Cornwall Council has granted our application to restore Viscar Common, in the Cornish parish of Wendron, to the common-land register. The half-hectare common is north-east of the lane leading to Viscar, and is owned by Wendron Parish Council. The application was made by Tomas Hill, one of our consultants who are…

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Dismay that Kirkby Moor wind turbines are to stay

July 30, 2019

A planning inspector has ruled that 12 wind turbines on common land at Kirkby Moor in Cumbria, close to the Lake District National Park, can remain until 2027. The applicant, Zephyr Investments Ltd (now Ventient Energy), appealed against South Lakeland District Council’s refusal to extend the life of the wind farm. The planning inspector, Mr…

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Hartfield footpath

We win greater width for Mayfield footpath

July 25, 2019

Brendan Clegg, our local correspondent for Wealden District in East Sussex, has won a five-metre width on a footpath at Mayfield. The county council promoted a plan to move the path, but proposed that the new route had a width of only two and a half metres. Brendan argued that this was insufficient, particularly if…

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York Council agrees to step up its work on public paths

July 25, 2019

York City Council has agreed to step up its work on public paths. The decision was made by the council’s executive on 18 July, in response to a complaint by our member, Mr Graham Cheyne, to the local government ombudsman (LGO). On 9 May the LGO told the City of York Council that it must…

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image Kevin Griffiths Knutsford Heath

Knutsford Heath event guidelines welcomed

July 25, 2019

The national Open Spaces Society is delighted at the enormous step forward for Knutsford Heath, an important area of common land in Knutsford, Cheshire East.  The owner of The Heath, Tatton Estate, has signed an agreement with Knutsford Town Council and the Friends of The Heath (an Open Spaces Society member) to provide guidelines for the use…

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The society in action – spreading the word

July 18, 2019

The society’s digital content and marketing manager, Nichola Finan gave a talk at our recent AGM outlining how the website and social media are being harnessed to spread the word. We want to promote the Open Spaces Society vision and mission to a wide range of supporters and potential members, plus government and other organisations…

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The society in action – our approach to the common land re-registration challenge

July 18, 2019

Our commons re-registration officer, Dr Frances Kerner, is researching lost commons which are eligible for registration as common land under part 1 of the Commons Act 2006. At the recent AGM, Frances gave a talk about the work involved to make an application to re-register ‘lost’ commons. The re-registration of common land comprises three strands…

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