Ugly cables across Dartmoor to go underground
Western Power Distribution has won consent to put four kilometres of ugly electricity cables underground. The cables stretch across Walkhampton Common, in the Dartmoor National Park, and have been an eyesore for decades. Because the land is common land, WPD needed the consent of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to…
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Land saved for the community in Weston, Bath
The residents of Weston, Bath, and the Open Spaces Society are delighted that four hectares known as ‘The Field Behind Purlewent Drive’ in Weston have been registered as a village green. This means that local people have the right to enjoy the land for informal recreation and it is protected from development. Local people initiated…
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We slate Bristol’s lack of traffic management which threatens the downs
We have slated Bristol City Council’s lack of traffic management which is threatening the city’s green spaces. This follows last week’s Development Control Committee decision to allow Bristol Zoo to park on the Downs for a further three years. Kate Ashbrook, our general secretary, said: ‘Yet again Bristol’s councillors have failed to take action to…
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We call on Bristol councillors to end zoo parking on the Downs
We have called on Bristol’s councillors to refuse the zoo’s latest planning application to park on the Downs. This is to be considered by a planning committee on Wednesday, 24 July. ‘There is no justification for this. The zoo points out that it is a charity, but this does not mean it can ignore planning…
Read MoreWe join fight against yet another Somerset solar-farm
We have objected to a planning application for a massive solar-installation close to Frome in the Somerset countryside. This follows our objections to similar schemes at Doulting and Kilmersdon, Somerset, earlier this year. We don’t object to all such developments but we do so when they adversely affect public access to, and enjoyment of, an…
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Tannen Land, Strete, is now a green
We are delighted that our member Richard Hacon and other local people have succeeded in registering Tannen Land, at Strete in south Devon, as a village green. Devon County Council approved the registration of the two-acre site last month. With advice from the society, Richard obtained evidence of use from local people and submitted this…
Read MoreFight to save Cornish rail-crossing
We have joined the campaign to save the Mexico Inn rail crossing, at Long Rock near Penzance in Cornwall, from closure. The pedestrian crossing provides an important short-cut for walkers. If it is closed the alternative route is nearly a kilometre long. Cornwall Council and Network Rail want to close the crossing on alleged safety…
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Somerset ‘sun farm’ near nursery-rhyme hill
We have joined the battle against a solar farm at Kilmersdon, near Radstock in Somerset. The Pegasus Group has recently confirmed the development boundary for the 35-acre site at New Tyning Farm, for 25 years. The development will be an eyesore in this lovely area. The site is close to Jack and Jill Hill, named…
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We call on Bristol’s Downs Committee to revoke zoo-parking licence
Today (22 April) we shall to call on Bristol’s Downs Committee to revoke the licence it granted in January for the Downs to be used as zoo parking for a further five years. We have also called for the Committee’s role to be reviewed. Our local member Julie Boston will speak about this at the…
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Charlton Common inquiry adjourned
The public inquiry into a new access-road across Charlton Common in South Gloucestershire opened yesterday (9 April) and was immediately adjourned. The room at the BAWA Club, Filton, was overflowing with objectors from Southmead, Brentry and Henbury, who had not been consulted about the plans and who were angry at what was proposed. The inspector,…
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