Development threat in Kent’s high weald
We have objected to plans from Kent County Council to erect a new primary school on open land at Benenden in the Weald of Kent. The proposed development is to the south of Rolvenden Road. This is a prominent, elevated spot which is visible for miles around. The development will suburbanise this attractive village, and…
Our new path-protagonist for Guildford
We are pleased to announce that we have appointed Colin Sandford as our new local correspondent for the Borough of Guildford in Surrey. Colin, who lives in Effingham, has a lifelong interest in horse-riding and this inspired his interest in countryside access. Colin will be our eyes and ears in this area, keeping a close…
Wealden woodland saved from private car-park plans
Wealden District Council has thrown out plans to build a private, gated car-park on the summit of Crowborough Common in East Sussex. On 31 May nine members of the planning committee voted against Crowborough Beacon Golf Club’s proposals. The Open Spaces Society, Save Our Common and the Ramblers’ High Weald Walkers Group were among the…
Waveney wind-developers back down
Stamford Renewables Ltd has withdrawn its appeal against Waveney District Council’s refusal of planning permission for three wind-turbines and associated paraphernalia in the lovely Waveney valley in Suffolk. The development, at Laurels Farm, Barsham, near Beccles would have been an eyesore in the lovely valley, and destroyed part of High Common on either side of…
West Sussex takes a lead in protecting commons and greens
We have congratulated West Sussex County Council for taking a lead in helping all the planning authorities in its area to take account of registered common land and village greens when considering planning applications. West Sussex has offered all the districts its most up-to-date GIS data layer for commons and greens which would enable the…
Chorleywood Common
Chorleywood Common is an amazing place. Within a mile of the M25 and surrounded by roads and railways, it survives as a wild oasis, breathtakingly lovely with its wide open spaces and mixed woodland. It is a reminder, in miniature, of our pre-inclosure landscapes. It is enjoyed by walkers and riders, residents and visitors of…
New golfing-plans on Walton Heath Common
We have objected to plans by Walton Heath Golf Club to use part of Walton Heath Common, in Surrey, as a ‘golf-practice facility’. The golf club has submitted a planning application to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council. The land is registered common land and the public has the right to walk and ride here. We…
South Downs National Park anniversary celebrated
‘The South Downs National Park was achieved by a mixture of vision and persistence.’ So said Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, Britain’s oldest national conservation body, at a rally organised on 1 April by the Hampshire and Sussex Ramblers at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Petersfield. The event was to mark the…
Dismay that Newhaven beach is not a green
We are dismayed by the High Court judgment that West Beach at Newhaven in East Sussex is not a village green. Mr Justice Ouseley ruled (21 March) that the land did not qualify as a green because its use by local people for informal recreation was incompatible with its statutory use as a port by…
David and Goliath battle for Harefield green
Next week is a further milestone in the campaign to save Harefield’s Medi Parc site as a green space for local people. On Tuesday (20 March) the public inquiry opens into the application by the Harefield Tenants’ and Residents’ Association to register the land as a village green. Harefield is a village on the western…