Industrialisation of The Canyons, Torfaen
We have objected to an application from Peakman Ltd to develop Mynydd Llanhilleth Common, near Abertillery in Torfaen, south Wales. Peakman wants to build a new haul road, widen the existing Cefn Crib road and erect fencing on the common to enable it to extract aggregates from the nearby quarry. Because the works affect common…
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We remain vigilant for ancient Hertfordshire route
We are concerned that an ancient public route at Broxbourne in Hertfordshire remains under threat from development plans by Broxbourne School. The intention is to demolish the old school and build a new academy, with 150 houses on the old school site. Broxbourne School has recently submitted amended plans, and the society notes that while…
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We fight planning application on Royston Common
We have objected to the renewal of a planning application affecting common land in Hertfordshire. The Conservators of Therfield Heath and Greens, at Royston in Hertfordshire, have applied for the renewal of outline planning permission for eight dwellings on land at Sun Hill. This is registered common land and the conservators have already applied to…
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We oppose zip-wire in Honister Pass, Lake District
The society is backing the Friends of the Lake District, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and other organisations and individuals in opposing the scheme. We have objected to an application from Honister Slate Mine for an aerial zip-wire over the Honister Pass in the Lake District National Park. The application is similar to one which the national…
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We fight loss of views from Oxfordshire footpath
We have objected to a massive development, proposed by Gladman Developments Ltd, on open land north of Caversham. South Oxfordshire District Council refused planning consent for 245 residential dwellings and other works on land off Peppard Road, at Emmer Green. Gladman has appealed and the appeal is to be heard in May. We have joined…
Read MoreDamaging plan for South Wales common withdrawn
We are pleased that Western Power Distribution (WPD) has withdrawn its proposal to place 15 electricity poles with an overhead line across Gwaun Cae Gurwen Common three miles north of Pontardawe in Neath Port Talbot. WPD had sought consent from Welsh ministers for works on common land under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006.…
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Welsh Government confirms the importance of designated landscapes
On 13 March the Minister for the Environment in the Welsh Government, Hannah Blythyn, confirmed unequivocally ‘that all the existing designated landscapes will be retained and their purpose of conserving and enhancing natural beauty will not be weakened’. This came as a considerable relief to us because over the last few years the future of…
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We welcome Lords’ call for more funds for public access
We are delighted that a House of Lords Select Committee has recommended greater independence and resources for Natural England, the government’s adviser on conservation, landscape and public access. Last autumn we submitted evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. We expressed our concern at Natural…
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New village green at Camrose in Pembrokeshire
The Lambston Parish Residents’ Association in Camrose community, Pembrokeshire, is celebrating the registration of an open space in Sutton as a village green. The one-acre site, just to the west of Haverfordwest, has been enjoyed by local people for informal recreation and social events for decades. Since the owner is not known, the Lambston residents…
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Freshwater, Isle of Wight, sets fine example in protecting green space
We have congratulated Freshwater Parish Council for designating land as Local Green Space (LGS) in its neighbourhood plan. Freshwater, on the western side of the Isle of Wight, is a largely rural parish. The parish council has identified and designated 15 LGSs* which meet the government’s criteria. The council created a checklist against which to…
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