Latest News

We defend village greens in Welsh Government inquiry

November 7, 2014

We have spoken out in defence of village greens in Wales which, we say, are essential to the health and well-being of the Welsh population. We have sent evidence to the Welsh Environment and Sustainability Committee which is inquiring into the principles of the Planning (Wales) Bill. We are concerned that the Welsh Government proposes…

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Hendy wind-turbines conflict with law to protect public rights

November 5, 2014

The society has discovered new information which could jeopardise the Hendy wind-turbine development in outstanding countryside in rural Radnorshire. The land on which Hendy Wind Farm Ltd proposes to erect at least four of the seven turbines, near Llandegley Rocks, Llandrindod Wells, was inclosed by an order for Hendy Bank made in 1885 which provided…

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We fight devastation of Radnorshire’s jewel

November 3, 2014

We have objected to two applications from Hendy Wind Farm Ltd to devastate Llandegley Rhos Common for a wind-farm on adjoining land. The company wants to build seven wind-turbines on land to the west of the common, obliterating the view to the striking Llandegley Rocks, five miles east of Llandrindod Wells. Because it intends to…

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Wales apes England in changing law to destroy village greens

October 6, 2014

The society is dismayed that the Welsh Government proposes to copy England’s law and boost developers in destroying village greens. The Welsh Government in its Planning Bill, published today (6 October), copies England’s Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013. It prohibits the registration of land as a town or village green where it has been identified…

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Wales apes England and proposes law which will destroy village greens

October 6, 2014

We are dismayed that the Welsh Government proposes to copy England’s law and boost developers in destroying village greens. The Welsh Government in its Planning Bill, published today (6 October), copies England’s Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013. It prohibits the registration of land as a town or village green where it has been identified for…

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Saving an important route in Cwmcarn Forest, Caerphilly

September 22, 2014

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,…

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Saltney Ferry open space saved

September 1, 2014

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…

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We fight windfarm in the heart of rural Powys

August 28, 2014

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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We slate Caerphilly Council

August 7, 2014

We have criticised Caerphilly County Borough Council for claiming that its legal duties to maintain public paths are merely discretionary. The council’s online survey on its budget, ‘help us to shape your services’, asks for the public’s views on what it calls ‘discretionary services’ It includes in these ‘Country parks, including public rights of way…

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All-party support for village greens in Wales

May 3, 2014

There was all-party support in the National Assembly for Wales for maintaining the current laws for registering greens.  The debate was initiated on 30 April by Suzy Davies, Conservative Assembly Member (AM) for South Wales West and Shadow Minister for Welsh Culture, Language and Tourism.  Suzy asked the Minister for Natural Resources and Food, Alun…

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