Badley Moor common, Norfolk, accessible at last
Dereham Walkers Are Welcome and the society are delighted that Mr Anema, the owner of Badley Moor common near Dereham in Norfolk, has erected a kissing-gate, giving access to the common. After some time when there was no effective access, a stile had been put up, but this failed to meet Natural England’s accessibility criteria…
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Industrialisation of The Canyons, Torfaen
We have objected to an application from Peakman Ltd to develop Mynydd Llanhilleth Common, near Abertillery in Torfaen, south Wales. Peakman wants to build a new haul road, widen the existing Cefn Crib road and erect fencing on the common to enable it to extract aggregates from the nearby quarry. Because the works affect common…
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We fight planning application on Royston Common
We have objected to the renewal of a planning application affecting common land in Hertfordshire. The Conservators of Therfield Heath and Greens, at Royston in Hertfordshire, have applied for the renewal of outline planning permission for eight dwellings on land at Sun Hill. This is registered common land and the conservators have already applied to…
Read MoreDamaging plan for South Wales common withdrawn
We are pleased that Western Power Distribution (WPD) has withdrawn its proposal to place 15 electricity poles with an overhead line across Gwaun Cae Gurwen Common three miles north of Pontardawe in Neath Port Talbot. WPD had sought consent from Welsh ministers for works on common land under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006.…
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Jerry Pearlman: fighter for commons and paths
Our world of paths and commons would be very different but for the work of Jerry Pearlman who has died aged 84 on 9 March 2018, writes our general secretary. Jerry was honorary solicitor for the Ramblers for more than 30 years; he took on countless path battles and campaigned for freedom to roam on…
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Powys wind-turbine inquiry imminent
On the eve of the public inquiry into Hendy Wind Farm’s appeal against Powys County Council’s refusal of planning permission for seven wind-turbines near Llandegley Rocks, we have renewed our call for rejection of the plans. We are backing the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales and many other organisations and individuals who oppose…
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Fencing allowed on Betws Common, Ammanford
We are disappointed that Welsh ministers have approved an application from Betws Common Holdings for nearly one mile of new fences on Betws Common, near Ammanford in Carmarthenshire. Because the fence comprises works on common land which will prevent or impede access, the applicant needed the consent of Welsh Ministers under section 38 of the…
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We call for new policy in London Plan to save green spaces
In our response to the London Mayor’s draft new London Plan we have called for London boroughs to dedicate their green spaces as town greens. The society has proposed the inclusion of a new policy: ‘Boroughs should dedicate any green spaces in their ownership as town greens, under the Commons Act 2006. This will protect…
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Protests over abuse of Clapham Common
Our local correspondent Jeremy Clyne has written to Lambeth Council to protest against the exploitation of open space in the borough, and the damage caused. The situation has become so critical that local people are saying the flagship Clapham Common might be better renamed ‘Clapham Commercial’. A large swathe of the common is still fenced…
Read MoreBattle of Knutsford Heath
A new ‘Battle of Knutsford Heath’ is brewing in Cheshire East. TV chef Tom Kerridge plans to present ‘Pub in the Park’ on Knutsford Heath, which is protected common land, from 7 to 9 September 2018. We are calling for Knutsford Heath instead to be kept open to the public for quiet recreation. The society…
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