Latest News

The disposal of open space on Swansea’s Kilvey Hill

February 19, 2024

Swansea Council advertised notice of disposal of open space on Kilvey Hill, under section 123(2A) of the Local Government Act 1972, in anticipation of the council granting planning permission for the massive Skyline leisure development on the hill.  The Open Spaces Society was among many objectors, arguing that the disposal was contrary to the council’s…

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New watchdog in Ceredigion

January 25, 2024

We have appointed Richard Price as our local correspondent for west Ceredigion.  Richard will be the society’s eyes and ears here, keeping a close watch on paths, commons, greens, and open spaces.  He shares the county with Gerald Davies who covers east Ceredigion.  Richard’s background is in financial services, having been an independent financial adviser…

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Degradation of Picket Mead common, Swansea

December 21, 2023

We have deplored the decision to allow a new access-track across the lovely, one-hectare, Picket Mead common, at Newton, west of Swansea.  The application, which also includes the laying of underground services, was made by Carrington Moore Estates Ltd, to provide access to a new development adjoining the common.  Because it comprises works on common…

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Celebrating the Gower Society’s 75th anniversary 

September 25, 2023

‘The Gower Society is a model for local campaigning.’  So said our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, in a talk to celebrate the Gower Society’s 75th anniversary this year.    On its inception in 1948 the Gower Society joined the Open Spaces and they have shared similar aims of protecting common land, open spaces, and paths ever…

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A plum common

June 16, 2023

A fascinating common in Pembrokeshire is now receiving the care and attention it deserves. Plumstone Rock is the most prominent feature of the 145-hectare Plumstone Mountain common including the adjoining Dudwell Mountain, 1.5 kilometres south of Hayscastle Cross in Pembrokeshire. The outcrop commands fine views, from the Preseli Mountains to the Bristol Channel. The land…

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We condemn skyline development at Swansea beauty-spot

May 19, 2023

We have made a strong objection to plans to desecrate Kilvey Hill, east of Swansea. We have submitted our objection to Asbri Planning, acting for Swansea Skyline Ltd, which proposes to develop the hill and surrounding area with a leisure development.  This comprises, among other infrastructure, gondola stations, a multi-purpose visitor building, luge tracks, chairlift,…

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Kilvey Hill, Swansea, must not be sacrificed for a vanity project 

February 2, 2023

February 2024 update: The council has rebutted the Open Spaces Society following our objection to the disposal of space on Kilvey Hill. Read their statement and our responses here.  We have objected strongly to a planning application from Swansea Skyline to convert Kilvey Hill, east of Swansea, into a massive tourism site. The society argues…

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Common land saved at Bracelet Bay beauty-spot, Swansea

July 19, 2022

We are pleased that Swansea City and County Council has withdrawn its application to deregister [1] common land at Tutts Head, Bracelet Bay, Mumbles.  This is a popular beauty-spot, and deregistration would have made the land vulnerable to development. The council had applied to itself to deregister the land on the basis that the land…

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Now is the time to give public access a leg up

July 7, 2022

‘The new agricultural-payment regimes in England and Wales provide a perfect opportunity for farmers and landowners to give public access a leg up.’ So declared our chairman, Phil Wadey, in his keynote speech to the society’s annual general meeting in London today (7 July). ‘The Westminster government and the Wales Senedd have agreed that farmers…

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Herefordshire’s historic Boat Lane, near Ross-On-Wye, is now on the map

April 21, 2022

We are delighted that the ancient Boat Lane, in the parishes of Goodrich and Walford south of Ross-on-Wye, has been added to Herefordshire Council’s definitive map of public paths, after a 20-year campaign. The route was claimed in 2003 by the society’s former local correspondent for south Herefordshire, Owen Morgan.  He argued that the lane…

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