New ammunition for fighting landowners’ path-diversions
Ever since we received a favourable opinion from George Laurence QC on the interpretation of ‘expedient’ in section 119 of the Highways Act 1980 (the section which deals with the diversion of public paths), the Ramblers and ourselves have been looking for a suitable case on which to test this. The case emerged when the…
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Dismay at refusal of village-green status for Cranbrook’s historic meadow
We are sorry to learn that the application to register the Long Field, Cranbrook, Kent, as a village green has been rejected following a public inquiry last September. The 5.2-acre Long Field is at the junction of Angley Road (A229) and Quaker Lane on the north-east side of Cranbrook. It is crossed by two public…
Read MoreWe oppose plans to dig up Swansea’s pearl of a common
We have objected strongly to plans by Carrington Moore Estates, in which the former Welsh rugby captain Andy Moore has an interest, to dig up Picket Mead Common at Newton, Swansea. The developers want to bury underground services (electricity, gas, water, telecoms and drainage) and lay grasscrete on the common, in connection with their planning…
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Vital footpath-link at Halling is added to official map
We are delighted that a footpath across Halling Marsh close to the River Medway is to be added to the official map of public paths for all to enjoy. The 580-metre-long path will fill the gap in an attractive circular walk. The decision to record the footpath was made by an inspector from the Planning…
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People vote for village greens with their feet
We have countered the government’s claim that applications to register land as a town or village green can undermine the democratically-accountable planning process, by pointing out that people vote for greens with their feet. We have sent a briefing to MPs before the report-stage debate on the government’s Growth and Infrastructure Bill on Monday (17…
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Open space commendation goes to Calderdale’s inspiring individual
We have given a special, individual commendation to Jade Smith of Mytholmroyd, Calderdale, for her work on the restoration and improvement of Mytholmroyd’s Memorial Garden. The award was presented on Saturday 1 December as part of Upper Calder Valley’s annual ‘Valley of Lights’ celebration. Jean Macdonald, our vice-chairman, said: ‘We introduced this award last year…
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Call for open space champions
We have launched our 2013 Open Space Award and are calling for nominations for open space champions. We want to encourage nominations for projects which support our aims to protect, increase, enhance and champion common land, town and village greens, open spaces and public rights of way in England and Wales, and the public’s right…
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Government failing in ambition to be ‘greenest ever’
The Coalition Government is failing on its own commitments to Britain’s natural environment: that’s the public’s view from a survey organised by Wildlife and Countryside Link (Link), a coalition of 39 leading environmental charities. Of those surveyed, less than a quarter (23%) think the Government is doing enough to protect our landscapes and wildlife—on land…
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Herne Bay Downs set to become a village green
The Downs at Herne Bay in Kent are set to be registered as a village green. An inspector, appointed by Kent County Council, has recommended to the council that the land be registered. The application was made by Phil Rose of the Friends of the Downs in September 2009. Because the landowner, Canterbury City Council,…
Read MorePopular Plympton path to be closed
We are dismayed that Plympton St Mary footpath 2, which runs through the grounds of the Ridgeway School, is to be closed. A public inquiry into the closure was held last month and the inspector, Mr Paul Dignan, ruled in favour of Plymouth City Council which wanted to close the path. The school and the…
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