Planning & development

Shape the place where you live, protect valued open spaces and decide what type of development, if any, is needed.

Are you worried about a planning application or the potential for development on an open space local to you?

Did you know that you can shape the place where you live, protect valued open spaces using the Local Green Space Designation and decide what type of development, if any, is needed?

Neighbourhood planning gives communities in England the opportunity and power to set local planning policies. Once approved, a neighbourhood plan has real weight in the planning system, empowering the inhabitants.

Over one thousand communities are currently involved in neighbourhood planning and 50 plans have been made following referendums. For further details of case studies and neighbourhood plans click here

One of the best ways to protect your local open spaces is to join the Open Spaces Society. As a member, you can count on the support of our expert team based at our head office in Henley-on-Thames.

Depending on where you live, you may also have a local Open Spaces Society correspondent (our name for volunteer) who may be able to help you.

Find your local correspondent

Protect your space from unwanted development, join us today.

News about Planning & development

Mega-development on Kilvey Hill, Swansea, would cut a hole in a Persian carpet

We have objected strongly to the amended planning application from Swansea Skyline to convert Kilvey Hill, east of Swansea, into a commercial tourist-site. The society considers the hill to be a much-loved local gem, which should not be sacrificed for mega-tourism. The proposed development would comprise, among other structures, gondola stations and chairlift infrastructure for…

Government’s lost chance to achieve levelling up

We have lamented the government’s failure to equalise the provision of green spaces for all. Responding to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the society sets out its priorities for government in a five-point plan. The society wants to see: 1 an improvement in the process…

Autumn crisis

Our general secretary Kate Ashbrook reflects on the current attack on the environment. ‘… now it is time unequivocally to act’ wrote Louis MacNeice in Autumn Journal in 1938. And so it is in this autumn, when government has suddenly made a full-frontal onslaught on the environment, nature, and our enjoyment of them. First there…

Planning undermined

The society is deeply concerned about recent government announcements on planning, deregulation and growth. Our case officer Nicola Hodgson gives an update on the alarming situation. The government’s Growth Plan will damage the environment, public access, and local democracy. The new policies appear to conflict with the ambitions and targets of the Environment Act, and…

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