New Northern Forest: great opportunity for public involvement
We have welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement that a new Northern Forest is to be created along the M62 corridor, as part of the government’s 25-year Environment Plan. The forest is to span more than 120 miles between the cities of Bradford, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool. The society is particularly pleased that this will provide…
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It’s official: public access is a public good
We are delighted by the commitment from the Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, that ‘public access is a public good’ and should be part of the post-Brexit payment scheme for farmers. Michael Gove was setting out his vision for the future of farming at the Oxford Farming Conference on 4 January. He said that government will…
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We fight electricity line across South Wales common
Western Power Distribution hopes to site an overhead electricity-line, with 15 poles, on a South Wales common. The proposed electricity-line would run for nearly a mile across Gwaun Cae Gurwen common, about three miles north of Pontardawe in Neath Port Talbot. Because the line would affect common land, Western Power Distribution must obtain the consent…
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The Open Spaces Society slams ‘zipper-mere’ plan
We have slammed plans by Treetop Trek for a massive zipwire development across Thirlmere, in the heart of the Lake District National Park. The proposals include eight cables stretching across the lake, with take-off and landing points, gantries, additional car-parking provision and buildings. Says Kate Ashbrook, our general secretary: ‘These plans would make Thirlmere into…
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We fight new ‘warehouse’ structure’ in Chilterns
We have objected to a planning application for an indoor riding-arena at Rocky Lane Farm, Rotherfield Greys in South Oxfordshire. The site adjoins a public footpath. The proposed development is a massive, ugly, steel barn which would be visible from many public paths. We argue that, at over seven metres high, the building would be…
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Northumberland County Council drops plan for Amble Braid village green
Northumberland County Council has withdrawn its plan to deregister 4,400 square metres (just over one acre) of Amble Braid village green in order to create a car-park. The society was among the objectors to the proposal which was to be determined by the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment,…
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A new village green: the perfect Christmas gift for your community
We have called on landowners, particularly local councils, to consider dedicating land as a town or village green as the perfect Christmas gift to the community. Once land is registered as a green it is protected, by nineteenth-century laws, from development and local people have rights of informal recreation there. It is open to any…
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We persuade Harwich developer to provide new town green
We have persuaded M Scott Properties Ltd to provide a town green, 160 square metres in extent, in exchange for part of a town green of the same area which it proposes to take for development. In July M Scott Properties applied to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for consent…
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Doors open to rescue lost commons in Cumbria and North Yorkshire
On 15 December, for the first time in 45 years, the public can win lost commons in Cumbria and North Yorkshire and gain rights to walk, and possibly ride, on them. This could lead to a significant new area of land for public enjoyment. Cumbria and North Yorkshire are to be added to the list of…
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An alternative Christmas present
Make Christmas 2017 the year you introduce your family and friends to the Open Spaces Society by giving membership gift vouchers. The perfect present idea for walkers, riders and cyclists who enjoy the outdoors and appreciate our amazing landscapes and public paths. It starts from just £3/month or £33 for a whole year for an…
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