Ten-point plan for candidates in Westminster election, May 2010
We published our ten-point plan for candidates in the general election, and asked them to sign up to it. Action plan 1. A right of appeal, and a requirement to provide suitable alternative land, before public open space is taken for another purpose 2. Law change to give county and unitary authorities a duty to…
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Plan to alleygate popular Luton footpath
Luton Borough Council plans to erect locked gates across the popular Beech Hill footpath. The path provides a direct and useful link between Dunstable Road and Ash Road, and to Beech Hill Community Primary School. In 2008 the council abandoned its plan to close the route, which was illegally blocked and, with the Bedfordshire Rights…
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Maulden footpath reopened at last
The long-blocked Maulden footpath 28, seven miles south of Bedford, has at last been reopened for the public. Maulden footpath number 28 had been illegally blocked by a fence, animal shelter, heap of animal dung, gate, fence and brick wall. (2) Alan Bowers, the owner of land crossed by the path, built a house, number…
Read MoreLancashire County Council should respect footpath at Waterfoot
Lancashire County Council plans to start building the new Waterfoot Primary School at Rawtenstall before the route of the public footpath which crosses the site has been determined. The council applied to move Rawtenstall footpath 237 in order to enable it to build the new school. However, there were many objections, from ourselves and Rossendale…
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Faircote Hall fiasco
Wealden District Council has given retrospective planning consent for a riding arena at Faircote Hall and stud, Hartfield in East Sussex, and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has refused the society’s request to call in the controversial application. The arena had been built unlawfully, without planning consent. Furthermore, it crosses a…
Read MoreThreat to Bowland
The environment secretary has approved a plan to erect a temporary meteorological mast on Whit Moor Common in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Lancashire. The mast is 50 metres high and its purpose is to assess the wind levels on the moor, as a precursor to building 20 wind turbines…
Read MoreFencing go-ahead for Wolstanton Common
The environment secretary has approved a plan to erect fencing on common land at Wolstanton, Newcastle under Lyme. The application was from the headteacher of May Bank Infants School (Staffordshire County Council) for consent, under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006, to fence off an area of common land adjoining the school. There will…
Read MoreNew path is won at Emmer Green
Our member Paul Gallagher of the Emmer Green Resident’s Association, and local residents, have succeeded in claiming a footpath, from Russet Glade to Jefferson Close, Emmer Green, Reading, for the definitive map of public paths. This follows a four-year campaign, culminating in a public inquiry in April at which there were three objectors. Mr Gallagher…
Read MoreWarlingham village green wins protection
A new village green has been registered in Surrey and saved from development. The green, known as The Back Green, is in Sunnybank, near Warlingham. We have congratulated the applicant Lee Fishwick, and those in the community who supported the application. Surrey County Council, the registration authority, agreed on 16 December 2009 to register the…
Read MoreThanet’s plans to sell off open space
We have deplored plans by Thanet District Council to sell off open spaces, which will be discussed at an extraordinary cabinet meeting on 20 May. The cabinet will hear from members of the public on its ‘potential asset disposal sites’ and will take a decision on the sell-off at a later date. There are plans…
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