We welcome Lambeth Council’s climb-down over commercial events in Brockwell Park
We congratulate our member, Protect Brockwell Park (PBP), for stopping Lambeth Council from pursuing an appeal over its commercial events plan, which PBP had blocked in the High Court[1]. The society was poised to back PBP in the Appeal Court this week with a grant from its Legal-Action Fund, but Lambeth Council decided to withdraw…
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Welcome steps for access—but where is the timetable?
The society is pleased that the government has set out some encouraging steps for more and better public access in its Environmental Improvement Plan (published 1 December), but we want to know when they will happen. We welcome the government’s plans to ‘consult on measures to ensure that everyone has access to nature close to…
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‘Step up for access’: call to government on landmark law’s 25th anniversary
On the 25th anniversary of the landmark Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act[1] , we challenge government to celebrate its predecessor’s achievement—and to act now to improve people’s access to the countryside and green spaces. Kate Ashbrook, our general secretary, is speaking at a national conference, Freedom to Roam; the Next Step, at Hebden…
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We win path improvements in Herefordshire
We are delighted that our local correspondent in Herefordshire, David Howerski, has won some valuable improvements to public paths. He has reported over 250 rights-of-way defects in the county since January 2025. In addition to reporting problems to the county council, Dave writes to the parish councils asking for their help and influence with local…
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Help to secure a new national park in Wales
The plan for a national park in north-east Wales, provisionally called the Glyndŵr National Park, is reaching its culmination, and it needs your help—whether you live in Wales, you visit there, or you believe in national parks. This will be the first new national park in Wales since 1957, and is a truly exciting prospect. …
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New village green at Maes Glasfryn, St Davids, Pembrokeshire
We are celebrating the generosity of brothers Malcolm, Andrew and Stuart Gray, who voluntarily registered some of their land as a village green. This is at Ty Glasfryn (known locally as Maes Glasfryn) in the heart of the city of St Davids, Pembrokeshire, and it is thereby protected for ever for local people to enjoy.…
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Green spaces rescued from damaging law-change
We are delighted that a damaging amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, proposed by Lord Banner and others, was dropped. The amendment aimed to remove long-standing public rights on green spaces when the land is sold by a local authority. It was debated in the House of Lords on Monday night (3 November) but not then moved. We had urged peers to oppose it and are highly relieved that the amendment…
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Public rights on green spaces to be expunged?
An amendment[1] to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, due to be debated in the House of Lords on Monday 3 November, aims to remove long-standing public rights on green spaces when the land is sold by a local authority. We are urging peers to oppose it. The amendment would make it much easier for local…
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Hawkhurst Moor, Kent, protected for ever
Hawkhurst Moor, Kent, protected for ever We have welcomed the restoration of Hawkhurst Moor to the register of town or village greens which will confer lasting protection. Hawkhurst is 19 kilometres south-east of Tunbridge Wells. The Moor was registered by Hawkhurst Parish Council in 1967 without objection as a town or village green. But Wye…
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Emma’s opportunity
Our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, urges the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, to act for access. Kate welcomes Emma to the role and writes: We hope Emma will bring change where now there is stagnation. Let’s hope she recognises that public access, too often relegated to the bottom…
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