Festival closure of internationally-acclaimed footpath
We have objected to plans by the Henley Festival for the temporary closure of the Thames Path National Trail in July 2017. Every year since 1998 the Festival has applied to Wokingham Borough Council, the highway authority, for the temporary closure of the path during the Festival, and the council has agreed. The Open Spaces…
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We win new green space and footpath for Witney, Oxfordshire
We have won a new town green and public footpath for the town of Witney in Oxfordshire. These are on land which is being developed by Richmond Care Villages (RCV) between Thorney Leys and Curbridge Road. RCV went ahead with their development, illegally obstructing Witney footpath 40 which they belatedly applied to move. The path…
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We back best-ever coastal route in Hamble River valley, Hampshire
We are supporting the Hamble River Valley Forum (HRVF) in Hampshire in its bid to secure the best possible route for the England Coast Path. Natural England is identifying the route of the coastal path in stages and is currently looking at the stretch between Calshot and Gosport. Once the route is set, there will…
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We slate sales of unique Brighton downland
We have written to Brighton councillors to condemn the sale of Brighton’s unique downland, much of it within the South Downs National Park. A number of sites have already been sold and others are under offer, with the council’s agents Savills. Brighton and Hove City Council plans to sell more than 100 acres of downland…
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We oppose public-path changes in Meopham, Kent
We have objected to plans from a landowner to move public footpaths onto inferior routes, to accommodate a vineyard, at Meopham in Kent. We are backing our member the Meopham and District Footpaths Group in fighting the proposals. The landowner, Mr G Bassi, says that he bought the land with the intention of expanding his…
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Damaging development in the heart of the Chiltern Hills
We have objected to plans from the Well Place Manor Trust to build a private equestrian development in an unspoilt valley in the heart of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The site, at Skirmett in Bucks, has been the subject of many previous planning applications, most of which have been rejected by Wycombe…
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Public invitation to view site of new paths and green in Witney, Oxfordshire
At the instigation of the Open Spaces Society, Richmond Villages have published the following advertisement in this week’s Witney Gazette inviting the public to visit its development site and see the position of two proposed new paths and a town green. PUBLIC NOTICE INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC The land between Thorney Leys and Curbridge Road is being…
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Our local correspondent takes action over fenced off Lewes Racecourse bridleway
Chris Smith, our local correspondent for Brighton and Lewes, is taking action to claim the full width of a well-used and important bridleway on the South Downs near Lewes Racecourse buildings. Chris has reported that most of the bridleway past the racecourse buildings has been fenced off since June this year and comments: “The part…
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We fight development on Leyton green space
We have objected to a planning application for sports facilities on a green space at Ive Farm, Leyton in Waltham Forest. The development includes two outdoor sports pitches, a spring track, volleyball arena, pavilion, seating, floodlighting and car parking. We that this will suburbanise land which is an extensive green space enjoyed by local people…
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Obstructing fence removed from Windsor footpath
A public footpath in Windsor has been recorded correctly on the official map and reopened to its full width after having been fenced in. The footpath runs between Priors Road and Keepers Farm Close on the west side of Windsor. The addition of the path to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) definitive…
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