We slate new Solihull road-scheme for neglecting walkers
We have objected to Highways England’s plans for the M42 junction 6 improvement scheme in Solihull. The junction is between the M42 motorway and the A45 and it serves Birmingham International station. The society is concerned about the loss of public access on foot as a result of the scheme. The proposal is for a…
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Fencing allowed on Betws Common, Ammanford
We are disappointed that Welsh ministers have approved an application from Betws Common Holdings for nearly one mile of new fences on Betws Common, near Ammanford in Carmarthenshire. Because the fence comprises works on common land which will prevent or impede access, the applicant needed the consent of Welsh Ministers under section 38 of the…
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We call for new policy in London Plan to save green spaces
In our response to the London Mayor’s draft new London Plan we have called for London boroughs to dedicate their green spaces as town greens. The society has proposed the inclusion of a new policy: ‘Boroughs should dedicate any green spaces in their ownership as town greens, under the Commons Act 2006. This will protect…
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Protests over abuse of Clapham Common
Our local correspondent Jeremy Clyne has written to Lambeth Council to protest against the exploitation of open space in the borough, and the damage caused. The situation has become so critical that local people are saying the flagship Clapham Common might be better renamed ‘Clapham Commercial’. A large swathe of the common is still fenced…
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Delight at withdrawal of ‘Zipper-mere’ plan
We are highly relieved that Treetop Trek has withdrawn its planning application for a massive zip-wire development across Thirlmere, in the heart of the Lake District National Park. The proposals included eight cables stretching across the lake, with take-off and landing points, gantries, more car-parking provision and buildings. Treetop Trek claims it has withdrawn the…
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A celebration at Wittersham, Kent
Twenty-five years ago our member Mavis King succeeded in getting Poplar Farm field and pond, at Wittersham in Kent, registered as a village green, VG235. The 1.5-acre site was threatened with developers and, with our help, Mavis saved it. On 16 November 2017 Mavis unveiled a plaque, which was fixed to a three-ton boulder of…
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We call for new open space designation in Wales
We have called on the Welsh Government to introduce a statutory designation for open space, to ensure that it is properly protected and can be enjoyed by local people. The society has responded to the Welsh Government consultation on changes to town and village green legislation in the Planning (Wales) Act 2015. Town and village…
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Lake District zip-wire approval causes dismay
We are dismayed that the Lake District National Park Authority’s Development Control Committee has approved the Honister zip-wire. The application was made by the Honister Slate Mine for an aerial zip-wire and other structures over the Honister Pass in the Lake District National Park The committee overturned the recommendation for refusal from national park planning…
Read MoreBattle of Knutsford Heath
A new ‘Battle of Knutsford Heath’ is brewing in Cheshire East. TV chef Tom Kerridge plans to present ‘Pub in the Park’ on Knutsford Heath, which is protected common land, from 7 to 9 September 2018. We are calling for Knutsford Heath instead to be kept open to the public for quiet recreation. The society…
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Public inquiry into common-land swap at Therfield Heath, Royston
A public inquiry is being held on Tuesday (30 January) into the exchange of common land proposed by the Conservators of Therfield Heath and Greens in Hertfordshire. We have submitted an objection. The conservators wish to swap 1.65 acres of common land off Sun Hill at Royston in Hertfordshire for the same area of woodland…
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