Support us from £3/month
We deal with almost 1000 cases a year assisting communities, groups and individuals in protecting their local spaces and paths in all parts of England and Wales. Can you help us by joining as a member?
Fourteen of our local correspondents joined us for a two-day event in Worcestershire. Photo: OSS
Fourteen of our local correspondents (about one third) gathered, with our chairman Phil Wadey and five members of staff, at Hillscourt conference centre, on the edge of the Lickey Hills near Bromsgrove in Worcestershire, for a two-day event. It was an opportunity for us to update each other on the law and guidance, and to learn from our local correspondents about good practice and to swap ideas and knowledge.
Topics discussed included:
- an update on the implementation of the Deregulation Act 2015, and the effect of the proposed landowners’ ‘right to apply’ for path changes;
- the support the society gives to local correspondents to take legal action on paths and commons;
- our policy on renewable-energy developments;
- how to secure better outcomes for access through the planning process;
- our views about multi-use paths;
- the Equality Act 2010 and the lawfulness of structures on public paths.
The event was a good opportunity to swap ideas and knowledge with our local correspondents. Photo: OSS
Local correspondents spoke about their work, including action under section 130A of the Highways Act 1980 to get paths reopened, and how to present evidence for a definitive map modification order at a public inquiry.
We had a pleasant walk in the Lickey Hills, across heathland and through woodland, with views over Birmingham and Coventry.
We are extremely grateful to all our local correspondents for the work they do on our behalf, and hope to arrange another gathering in due course.