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Lomas

The society in action – Why I went to Lima

July 18, 2019

The seventeenth biennial conference of the International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC) was held in Lima and our general secretary represented the society. She writes of her experiences. This time the conference was called ‘In defence of the commons’, and it had a more practical feel about it than previous conferences which…

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Village greens in the balance warns Open Spaces Society

July 11, 2019

‘Our green spaces are under unprecedented threat as the law on town and village greens is in the balance.’ So declared the Open Spaces Society’s chairman, Chris Beney, at the society’s annual general meeting in London on Thursday (11 July). ‘Only recently the courts ruled that 380 square metres at Vowley View, Wootton Bassett in…

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Urban commons – Brighton conference update

July 8, 2019

Nicola Hodgson, will be speaking tomorrow at Brighton University at a one day conference on “methodologies for engagement and four urban commons”. The day will bring together representatives, stakeholders and users of urban commons with experts in open space management and methods of public engagement. It is part of the “ Wastes and Strays project” …

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Blackbushe airport ruling could put many commons under threat

June 18, 2019

We are dismayed that a planning inspector has ruled that part of Yateley Common in Hampshire should lose its common-land status. Mr Alan Beckett was the inspector at the public inquiry in April into Blackbushe Airport Ltd’s application to deregister nearly half a square kilometre of common land covering the airport. He has said that…

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Securing Open Spaces

June 11, 2019

Our case officer, Nicola Hodgson, advises how you can win open space as part of development in England – Local Green Space (LGS) does not exist in Wales  Town or village green (TVG) Registration of land under section 15(2) Commons Act 2006. Anyone may apply to the commons registration authority to register land as TVG…

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Unhappy trigger

June 11, 2019

Our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook considers the wider implications of a recent court of appeal judgment on greens.  Town and village greens have been dealt a further body-blow. The appeal court has outlawed the registration of land which is within a ‘settlement boundary’ as a green.  Ever since the egregious Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013…

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Seven Sisters secured

June 8, 2019

We have welcomed East Sussex County Council’s proposal to transfer ownership of Seven Sisters Country Park to the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA). This follows nearly five years of uncertainty. Said our local representative, Brendan Clegg: ‘This is excellent news and a huge relief to all those who cherish this wonderful place. We are…

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Consent refused for iron railings on Nottinghamshire common

June 6, 2019

We are delighted that the environment secretary has rejected a retrospective application for fencing on Hanging Hill Lane common, Normanton-on-Trent.   The common is a long strip, consisting of Hanging Hill Lane and a broad verge on either side. The verge is used by walkers and for access to adjoining fields. The one-metre-high iron railings…

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Land for the Many Report

June 4, 2019

The society welcomes the publication today of Land for the Many, a report commissioned by the Labour Party. The party will consider the proposals as part of its policy development ahead of the next general election. The report places land at the heart of political debate and discussion, and it proposes significant changes to land…

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End the scandal of secret paths

June 1, 2019

Fifty years on from the Countryside Act 1968, which required local authorities to signpost a public path where it leaves a road, many paths still lack signposts. We are calling for an end to this scandal. Join Open Spaces Society and add your voice to our ongoing battle. The society and the Ramblers were responsible…

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