Eyesore rejected on much-loved Bridgend common
Welsh Ministers have rejected an application for timber posts on Pen Y Fai Common at Bridgend. The application for works on common land was made by Save Our Greenery, to prevent vehicles from parking on the common. The decision letter came from planning inspector Joanne Burston, on behalf of the Welsh ministers who determine applications…
Read MoreBadley Moor common, Norfolk, accessible at last
Dereham Walkers Are Welcome and the society are delighted that Mr Anema, the owner of Badley Moor common near Dereham in Norfolk, has erected a kissing-gate, giving access to the common. After some time when there was no effective access, a stile had been put up, but this failed to meet Natural England’s accessibility criteria…
Read MoreAppeal court upholds village green registrations in Lancashire and Surrey
We are delighted that the Court of Appeal has upheld the registration of village greens at Moorside Fields in Lancaster and Leach Grove Wood at Leatherhead in Surrey.(1) The two cases were heard together and the court has dismissed an appeal from Lancashire County Council which, as the education authority, owns the 13-hectare Moorside Fields.…
Read MoreJoin us to celebrate the Spirit of Kinder
Our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, will be one of the expert speakers at a celebration of the Spirit of Kinder to be held at Friends Meeting House, Manchester on Saturday 21 April 2018 from 13.15 to 16.00. In addition to her work with OSS, Kate is chair and a vice-president of the Ramblers, vice-chair of…
Read MoreIndustrialisation 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…
Read MoreWe 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…
Read MoreWe 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…
Read MoreWe 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…
Read MoreWe 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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