A new deal for public access post-Brexit
‘Agricultural funds post Brexit should pay for more and better public access.’ So declared the Open Spaces Society’s vice-president, Paul Clayden, at the society’s annual general meeting in London on Thursday 6 July. ‘The government has promised that the current level of agricultural support will be maintained until the next election. This means that there…
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London Council in ‘unprecedented’ move to exploit open space
A London Council has made an ‘unprecedented’ move to make money out of holding events on a flagship open space. Lambeth Council’s planning committee on Tuesday evening (4 July) gave blanket approval to a 110-day schedule of music festivals and other events on the 35-hectare half of Clapham Common it owns. The Town and Country…
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We criticise new Ordnance Survey map of greenspaces
As Britain’s leading pressure-group for open spaces, we say that today’s launch of a new ‘comprehensive map of greenspaces’(1) fails to deliver the Government’s commitment to map ‘all open-access green space’. The Ordnance Survey has announced the publication of a database of greenspaces in Great Britain. The database is offered via a mapping tool online,…
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We urge caution on proposed law changes for parks
We have condemned government proposals to legislate to prevent local authorities charging ‘Parkrun’ and ‘Junior Parkrun’. We were responding to the Department for Communities and Local Government’s (DCLG) consultation ‘Running free’, on preserving the free use of public parks. The society believes this issue of charging must not be taken in isolation as it will…
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London Assembly’s vision for green spaces
We have welcomed the London Assembly’s recommendations to the Mayor to recognise, protect and improve London’s green spaces. The Assembly has published ‘Park Life: ensuring green spaces remain a hit with Londoners’, with seven recommendations for the Mayor to include in the forthcoming Environment Strategy. These include extending and improving access to London’s green spaces,…
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We deplore power-lines on Bridgend common
We are disappointed that Welsh ministers have approved an application from Western Power Distribution to site an overhead electricity line, with 16 poles, on a South Wales common. The proposed electricity line will run for more than a mile across Mynydd Llangeinwyr common, the upland between Cwm Garw and Cwm Ogwr Fawr about six miles…
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Ancient Lewes bridleway under attack again
The ancient bridleway and popular bridleway from Lewes prison to Lewes racecourse and beyond is used by many walkers, equestrians and cyclists. It is one of the main ways Lewes residents and visitors access the South Downs. Now it is under attack again. What has happened Some years ago signs were erected, trying to stop…
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Lambeth Council’s plan threatens Clapham Common
Lambeth Council is proposing to give itself unprecedented powers to intensify and institutionalise the commercial exploitation of a flagship open space. By giving blanket approval for music festivals and other events to be held on the 35-hectare half of Clapham Common it owns, Lambeth Council will be driving a coach and horses through legislation, designed…
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Circuit of Wales racetrack abandoned: common land saved
We are relieved that, following the refusal of £210 million in backing from the Welsh Government, the Circuit of Wales motor-race track will apparently not now be built on a square mile of common land on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The Open Spaces Society, with the Brecon Beacons Park Society, British…
Read MoreFootpath diversion during Henley regatta
This year, during Henley regatta, the Thames Path National Trail will be diverted around the Upper Thames enclosure south of Old Blades. The diversion is about 100 metres long and takes walkers away from the riverbank. This is official: the footpath, Remenham 4, has a limitation on the definitive statement allowing closure during the regatta.…
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