Latest News

Welsh ministers refuse private works on Aberdovey Common

September 20, 2013

We are delighted that the Welsh ministers have refused consent to Mr J T Dudley to build a garage and boat store with ancillary development on Aberdovey Common in the Snowdonia National Park. Although the national park authority approved the development in January, Mr Dudley needed the consent of the Welsh ministers for works on…

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Good outcome for Lobden Common, Lancashire

September 16, 2013

We are relieved that the Planning Inspectorate has imposed conditions on the Lobden Golf Club’s proposed upgraded road across Lobden Common, Whitworth in Lancashire, to mitigate its adverse effect on the common. Lobden Golf Club wanted to upgrade and tarmac the road in front of the golf club. Because this is on common land, the…

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We object to council plans for Haven Green Common, Ealing

September 16, 2013

We have backed our member The Friends of Haven Green in opposing plans from Ealing Council to widen footways across Haven Green Common. Because the works are on common land, the council needs the consent of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006. The…

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Another nail in the village greens’ coffin

September 12, 2013

We have warned communities throughout England that on 1 October new laws take effect which will further erode their rights to save their green spaces by registering them as a town or village green. The society fears that the changes will be particularly detrimental at a time when open space for communities is so vulnerable.…

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Development approved on Llanberis common

September 3, 2013

We are dismayed that Gwynedd Council’s planning committee has yesterday (2 September) approved a pump-storage power-station on common land at Glyn Rhonwy quarry above Llanberis, on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park. In objecting, we called on Gwynedd Council to ensure the developer, The Quarry Battery Co Ltd from London, was aware that works…

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Village greens legislation update

September 2, 2013

Growth & Infrastructure Act – update 2 September 2013 The government has published further guidance to reflect a number of significant changes to the law on registering new town and village greens under the Commons Act 2006, made in April 2013 under the Growth and Infrastructure Act. It replaces the interim version published in May 2013.…

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South Bristol link road’s damage to commons and paths

August 28, 2013

We have objected to the proposed South Bristol Link Road, because of the damage it will cause to Highridge Common, south-west of Bristol, and to the public-path network.  Our local correspondent for Bristol, Chris Bloor, has submitted a robust objection to Bristol and North Somerset Councils who are promoting the scheme. Says Chris: ‘We are…

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Minister rules that ‘Circuit of Wales’ development will not be called in

August 23, 2013

We are distressed that Carl Sargeant, the Minister for Housing and Regeneration in the Welsh Government, has ruled that the application for the ‘Circuit of Wales’ motor-racing centre will not be called in, but left for Blaenau Gwent Council to determine as it sees fit. The council has already granted outline consent to the Heads…

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We object to further threat to green spaces

August 21, 2013

We have objected to the government’s plans to make it even more difficult to register land as a town or village green in England, following the harsh restrictions already imposed by the Growth and Infrastructure Act earlier this year. The society has responded to a consultation by the Department for Communities and Local Government and…

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Picket Mead Common to be dug up

August 21, 2013

We are disappointed that the Welsh ministers have agreed that Carrington Moore Estates can dig up Picket Mead Common at Newton, Swansea, in connection with planning permission for adjoining development. Carrington Moore Estates, in which the former Welsh rugby captain Andy Moore has an interest, want to bury underground services (electricity, gas, water, telecoms and…

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