New charter for Wales’s open spaces
Today we call for a better deal for open spaces in Wales. We have published a charter and have written to Julie James, the Minister for Housing and Local Government, and all of Wales’s planning authorities. We want the government to introduce a national plan and standards for open spaces and to revise and update…
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New charter for open spaces
Today we call for a better deal for open spaces. We have published a charter and have written to Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and to all of England’s planning authorities. We call on government to introduce a national plan and standards for open spaces, and to place…
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Our take on the environment secretary’s speech
Last week the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice, made an end-of-term speech. It did not inspire confidence. A few bits of new money were promised. For instance, he announced £4m for a two-year pilot to bring ‘green prescribing’ to four urban and rural areas that have been hit the…
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A toothless watchdog?
Our case officer Nicola Hodgson is keeping a close watch on the Environment Bill. This was introduced to parliament on 30 January 2020 with second reading on 26 February. The public-bill committee’s scrutiny was cut short by the covid-19 crisis, and the committee was expected to report to parliament by the end of June, but…
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Threat withdrawn to ancient road in South Downs National Park
We are delighted that Mr Hugh Sandie of Pegs and Pitches Camping has withdrawn his planning application for a campsite and buildings near Coldwaltham, West Sussex, in the South Downs National Park. The society objected to the development arguing that it conflicted with the purposes of the national park and would have an adverse impact…
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Vocal for local
Our general secretary Kate Ashbrook considers life for the Open Spaces Society during lockdown. As lockdown began, I foolishly thought we would have time to catch up with all those long-deferred jobs. I was wrong: we have been busier than ever. Developers are not deterred by a pandemic: open spaces remain at risk, perhaps more…
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Local correspondent authors new edition of Melbourne path history title
Our local correspondent for south Derbysire and north west Leicestershire since 2010, Barry Thomas, has updated his book ‘The old ways of Melbourne – the history of public rights of way in a Derbyshire village’. Barry describes the nature of public rights of way and the history of the path network in the parish of…
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Coronavirus closures
Path campaigners with long memories will recall the widespread and damaging rights-of-way closures during the foot-and-mouth epizootic in 2001–02. Fears that SARS-COV2 would bring similar closures have proved generally to be mistaken — on the contrary, Government encouragement for continuing exercise during lockdown has greatly increased the use of some rights of way, and proved…
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We deplore threat to ancient road in South Downs National Park
We have objected to a planning application for a campsite and buildings at Coldwaltham, West Sussex, in the South Downs National Park. The application was made by Mr Hugh Sandie of Pegs and Pitches Camping. Our particular concern is the threat to the adjoining Colebrook Lane. We have criticised West Sussex County Council for…
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We help to save part of Clyne Common, Swansea
We are delighted that the Duke of Beaufort’s Somerset Trust, the owner of part of Clyne Common, south-west of Swansea, has withdrawn its application for a land swap. The trustees of the Somerset Trust applied to the Welsh environment minister, via the Planning Inspectorate, to deregister 2.7 hectares on the eastern side of the common…
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