Open Spaces Society celebrates new town green in Swaffham, Norfolk
We’re delighted to have won a new town green in Swaffham, Norfolk. The land is to the east of the town between Norwich Road and North Pickenham Road. The society negotiated the registration of the green within BDW Trading Ltd’s development in exchange for withdrawing its objection to the diversion of a footpath across the site. The society’s…
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We call for legislation to open Starmer’s love of walking to all
We are pressing the government for early legislation for access, and have written to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, following his enthusiastic words about the value of walking and contact with nature. Says Kate Ashbrook, our general secretary: ‘We were encouraged to hear that the Prime Minister loves to go for a walk on…
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Activists press government to act for access
Activists for greater rights of public access to the countryside, gathering at Hebden Bridge town hall in Calderdale on 29 November, called on the government to legislate for access to the land and inland waters of England for outdoor recreation and enjoyment of nature. This was the eve of the 25th anniversary of the landmark…
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Welcome steps for access—but where is the timetable?
The society is pleased that the government has set out some encouraging steps for more and better public access in its Environmental Improvement Plan (published 1 December), but we want to know when they will happen. We welcome the government’s plans to ‘consult on measures to ensure that everyone has access to nature close to…
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We win path improvements in Herefordshire
We are delighted that our local correspondent in Herefordshire, David Howerski, has won some valuable improvements to public paths. He has reported over 250 rights-of-way defects in the county since January 2025. In addition to reporting problems to the county council, Dave writes to the parish councils asking for their help and influence with local…
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Hawkhurst Moor, Kent, protected for ever
Hawkhurst Moor, Kent, protected for ever We have welcomed the restoration of Hawkhurst Moor to the register of town or village greens which will confer lasting protection. Hawkhurst is 19 kilometres south-east of Tunbridge Wells. The Moor was registered by Hawkhurst Parish Council in 1967 without objection as a town or village green. But Wye…
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Emma’s opportunity
Our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, urges the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, to act for access. Kate welcomes Emma to the role and writes: We hope Emma will bring change where now there is stagnation. Let’s hope she recognises that public access, too often relegated to the bottom…
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Wiltshire councillors must reject rail-crossing closure
Update from 09 October 2025: We are delighted that Wiltshire councillors have rejected Network Rail’s proposed closure of the Penleigh level-crossing in Westbury. The Western Area Planning Committee unanimously opposed the plan at its meeting on 8 October (you can watch it here). The proposal was to close the direct, 20-metre path across the railway…
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Clyne Common, Swansea, saved from housing development
The attempt by the Duke of Beaufort’s Somerset Trust to take part of Clyne Common at West Cross for housing development has finally been refused. The deputy minister, Huw Irranca-Davis, has rejected the trust’s application to deregister 2.8 hectares on the eastern side of the common (the ‘release land’) and replace it with 3.4 hectares…
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We celebrate our Herefordshire volunteer’s law degree
Our local correspondent for south Herefordshire, Dave Howerski, has obtained a law degree from the Open University. Dave was inspired to study for this through his voluntary work for the society, campaigning for public paths, threatening legal action, and persuading Herefordshire Council to carry out its statutory duty to protect and maintain them. Dave, who…
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