Member Feedback
Chris Peat, Carlton, Leicestershire A formal opening ceremony was held in Carlton recently to open an improved footpath. Over the last two years Carlton Parish Council has worked with the County and Borough Councils and the Carlton Footpath Group to install 13 gates and kissing gates in place of stiles on two local footpaths, and…
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Safe crossings for Poole pedestrians
We have helped secure four crossings over the busy Shore Road at Poole, to enable walkers to get safely from the beachfront to the harbourside, using a popular footpath. These were achieved by our local correspondents Harry and Aimee Alexander who pursued the campaign for ten years. Says Harry: ‘After more than a decade of…
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We fight damaging development in New Forest National Park
We are opposing an ugly solar ‘farm’ in the New Forest National Park. Last year the national park authority rejected a planning application from MTS Exbury Solar Ltd for a solar farm on nine hectares of land east of Lepe Farm, Exbury. The applicants have appealed and the hearing is to be held at Lymington…
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Ministers’ neglect threatens vital common land
We are calling on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and on the Welsh Government to finish the job on common land. Ten years ago the Commons Act 2006 provided for accurate and up-to-date registers of commons and commons councils to manage the commons. But the Act has not yet been fully brought…
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Our fight against beauty-spot wind turbines in Powys
We have sent a further objection to plans for seven 110-meter-high wind-turbines in the quiet countryside five miles east of Llandrindod Wells, Powys. Hendy Wind Farm Ltd has put in minor amendments to its application to Powys County Council for planning permission. The amendments do not mitigate any of our concerns. The turbines will still…
Read MoreAnglesey Council plans to dispose of public park
We are dismayed that the Isle of Anglesey County Council has published plans to dispose of Holyhead Park in South Stack Road. The public has six weeks, until 19 January 2016, in which to object to the plans. Thereafter, the council will invite expressions of interest for two weeks until 2 February, from anyone wishing…
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We help to save wonderful Wenvoe footpath
We are pleased to have helped our member, the Wenvoe Residents’ Action Group, to save a wonderful footpath at Wenvoe, in the Vale of Glamorgan. Earlier this year the Vale of Glamorgan Council consulted interested parties on a plan to move Wenvoe footpaths 21 and 22 in connection with a development to the west of…
Read MoreMixed news from Defra
Yesterday’s announcement of the spending review 2015’s effect on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contained mixed news. The good news is that the funding for national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and public forests is protected. National parks ‘will be given legal flexibilities to allow them to build sustainable, long-term revenue…
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Gigantic wind-turbines rejected on Lake District boundary
South Lakeland District Council has rejected plans for a giant wind-farm on common land at Kirkby Moor, Cumbria, on the edge of the Lake District National Park. The council’s planning committee refused, by nine votes to two, the application from the energy company RWE Innogy UK Ltd. This was to replace twelve wind turbines with…
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Campaigner Kate wins ‘Outdoor Personality of the Year’ award
Our general secretary Kate Ashbrook has won The Great Outdoors magazine’s Outdoor Personality of the Year award, topping a shortlist of 11 which included mountaineers Sir Chris Bonington and Alan Hinkes, and fellrunner Jos Naylor. Kate was nominated as ‘a knowledgeable and fearless campaigner for our rights in the great outdoors’. Kate is also president…
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