We fight microlights in North Bucks countryside
We have objected to a planning application for retrospective consent to fly microlight aircraft from Bernwood Farm, Botolph Claydon, in north Buckinghamshire. Botolph Claydon and its surroundings are extremely tranquil and unspoilt, unusually so for Buckinghamshire. The microlight aircraft, which are being flown here unlawfully, without planning permission, destroy the peace of the area. In…
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Hardy heritage under threat
We have objected to a plan to move the historic footpath leading to the cottage where Thomas Hardy’s fictitious heroine, Tess of the d’Urbervilles, was born and brought up. Dorset County Council has received an application from the owner of Tess Cottage (formerly Barton Cottage) to move Marnhull footpath 25, which currently follows an historic…
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Cavendish village green in Suffolk is voted liveliest in country
TruGreen, the world’s largest professional lawn care company, together with The Sunday Telegraph, Life, has named Cavendish Village Green in Suffolk the liveliest in the country. Entrants were invited to send a picture and 50 words on why they thought their nominated village green was the liveliest in the country to the judges at TruGreen…
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Englefield Green village green is saved
We are celebrating the decision by Helen Slade of the Planning Inspectorate, on behalf of the environment secretary, to refuse consent for works on Englefield Green village green in Surrey. The land is widely used by local people, and the inspector confirmed that the public have the right to enjoy the green for air and…
Read MoreBeechcroft Manor open space saved from development
We are delighted that land at Beechcroft Manor, Weybridge in Surrey, has been saved. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government rejected the planning appeal by Linthaven Ltd, following a public inquiry last February. Linthaven appealed against Elmbridge Borough Council’s refusal to give consent for a block of three houses, with access drive…
Read MorePath claimed at Brook, Surrey
A public footpath will be added to the official map of rights of way, thanks to the efforts of our local correspondent, Ralph Holmes. Ralph, who covers Waverley Borough in Surrey claimed a footpath on the Rockwood Estate, Brook, near Witley. The path runs from near West Lodge on Haslemere Road (the A286) to Parsonage…
Read MoreTen-point plan for candidates
We have published our ten-point plan for candidates in the general election, and have asked them to sign up to it. To see the names of those who have said they support it, in whole or part, click here. Action plan 1. A right of appeal, and a requirement to provide suitable alternative land, before public…
Read MoreNew package to rescue lost ways
We have welcomed the package of proposals to government from the Stakeholder Working Group on Unrecorded Public Rights of Way. The group, consisting of representatives of user groups, landowners and local authorities, was brought together by Natural England to find a solution to recording historic paths many of which have become lost. Its report, Stepping…
Read MoreWaverley viaduct
Our local correspondent for Carlisle, Ken West, is urging people to sign up to the petition to Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council, calling on them to purchase Waverley Viaduct and enable it to be restored and maintained as a historic feature and for use by walkers and cyclists. For further information contact Ken.
Read MoreFields of vision – a literary study-day
Sign up to an informal study-day devoted to the lives and writings of Richard Jefferies and Edward Thomas, on Saturday 8 May 2010 at Liddington in Wiltshire. The day ends with a visit to St James’s church at Eastbury in West Berkshire, with a window engraved by Laurence whistler, commemorating Edward and Helen Thomas. For…
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