Saving our green spaces
If you want to save your open space you need to get involved. Our general secretary Kate Ashbrook tells you how. Communities need to be on their toes if they want to rescue their much-loved spaces from developers. The opportunity to register them as town or village greens has recently diminished in England, and…
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Saving an important route in Cwmcarn Forest, Caerphilly
Some months ago, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) made it known that as part of the plans to counteract the spread of Phytophthora ramorum (Larch disease) it would be felling all the larch trees in Cwmcarn Forest and closing the Forest Drive. Cwmcarn is alone in Wales in having a drive as well as cycling trails,…
Read MoreA blight on Hackney Marshes
We have objected to plans from the London Borough of Hackney to develop part of Hackney Marshes (East) for a car park and (North) for a pavilion with car park. We are backing our member the Hackney Marshes User Group which has for some time been protesting about the proposals. The marshes are registered common land and…
Read MoreRailway-crossing path saved
The society and the Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex Ramblers are delighted that they have helped to save a popular footpath which crosses the railway line just south of Griffin Lane, north-west Aylesbury. Network Rail, backed by Bucks County Council, wanted to close the path on alleged safety grounds. They intended that people would instead…
Read MoreWe oppose development of Nuneaton’s old common
We have objected to plans from Gladman Developments Ltd to build 262 houses on former common land at Plough Hill Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire. The land is known as Galley Common and is of historical significance. We are dismayed that it is proposed to develop this land. It will suburbanise this attractive area and spoil people’s…
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Gordon Garland, 1921-2013
Gordon Eric Garland, who died last year aged 91, was a long-standing member of the society and an effective, enthusiastic, campaigner for paths and open spaces. Gordon spent his 91 years in Hollingbury Park Avenue, Brighton. He is remembered for his tremendous, generosity and support; someone who unselfishly and tirelessly devoted his time, influence, and…
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Beverley Westwood exchange-plan ditched
The East Riding of Yorkshire Council has ditched its plans to swap land on the ancient Beverley Westwood Common for a small piece on the northern edge. This was to accommodate a cycle track across the common. Because there were objections to the swap, the Planning Inspectorate was to hold a hearing on 28 October,…
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Government boosts coastal access and parks
We are delighted at the announcement by Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, that the government will put more money into providing access around England’s coast and into producing online maps of publicly-accessible green space. Speaking at the Royal Society for Protection of Birds’ State of Nature conference, Mr Clegg said that the government would…
Read MoreSaltney Ferry open space saved
The North Street Football Pitch at Saltney Ferry, Flintshire, has been saved as an open space for ever more. The space has been protected under the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge, by Fields in Trust. The Open Spaces Society objected to a planning application to develop the site and is delighted that it is now…
Read MoreWe fight windfarm in the heart of rural Powys
We have objected to plans for seven wind-turbines in the quiet countryside five miles east of Llandrindod Wells, Powys. Hendy Wind Farm Ltd has applied to Powys County Council for planning permission Hendy Wind Farm Ltd has applied to Powys County Council for planning permission for the turbines and ancillary development, including an access road,…
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