Win at Westfield Common, Woking
A public-inquiry inspector has thrown out plans by Woking Borough Council for a land swap at Westfield Common, Woking in Surrey. The council wanted to build an access road across the common to the potential housing development nearby. The proposal was rejected by inspector Mrs Helen Slade following a public inquiry last June. This is the council’s second…
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Fencing plan rejected on Telscombe Tye Common
A public-inquiry inspector has rejected Telscombe Town Council’s application for fencing of parts of Telscombe Tye Common, north of Peacehaven in East Sussex. The inquiry was held in June this year into the council’s application, under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006, for works on common land. The objectors included the British Horse Society. …
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Meopham’s ‘model’ path-campaign group
‘Meopham and District Footpaths Group is a model for local action groups throughout the country.’ So said our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, at the Meopham Footpath Group’s fiftieth anniversary celebrations today (Saturday 18 August). ‘For the last 50 years the group has combined campaigning for its local paths with an excellent walks programme. The Open…
Read MoreOctavia – open spaces champion
Octavia Hill was an activist and committee member of the Open Spaces Society 20 years before she helped to found the National Trust. She campaigned for open spaces and public paths for the benefit of the public. We celebrated the centenary of her death on 13 April, and Radio 4 had a programme about her life.
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Planning defeat at Crook
We are delighted that a proposed planning application affecting rights of way at Crook in County Durham has been defeated. The proposal involved the change of use of a piece of land to private gardens and the consequent extinguishment under section 247 of the Highways Act of two sections of public right of way affected…
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We fight greenspace grab in Henley
We are objecting to plans by international land-agents Chesterton Commercial (Oxon) Ltd to stop up the public highway at Bell Street, Henley-on-Thames for private parking spaces. The plans will be considered at a public inquiry starting on Tuesday 7 August. The society will be represented, along with the Chiltern Society, by our local member David…
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Update on development next to Ibstone Common
We are delighted to report that on 6 June 2012, Wycombe District Council rejected this application because the development would cause adverse visual detriment to the special landscape character and scenic beauty of the Chilterns AONB and would harm the rural character and appearance of the surrounding open countryside, and the access track would visually…
Read MoreThe fight for Flintshire open space
We have opposed plans to use part of an open space, at Bradshaw Avenue, Saltney Ferry, for a replacement scout hut and associated works with fencing. The society has objected to Flintshire County Council, the planning authority. This proposal would reduce the informal playing area on this open space by 60 per cent, and the…
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Victory on West Hoathly footpath
A valued public footpath at West Hoathly, near East Grinstead in West Sussex, has been saved from diversion following a public inquiry last April. Paul Brown and West Hoathly Parish Council, both members of the Open Spaces Society, appeared at the inquiry as objectors. The public-inquiry inspector, Mr Michael Aldous of the Planning Inspectorate, refused…
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Painting of Hound Tor, Dartmoor, Devon
We are pleased to offer this unique opportunity to own an original painting and thereby support the work of the Open Spaces Society. Our local correspondent, Bob Milton, has kindly offered his original painting of Hound Tor on Dartmoor, Devon, for auction to raise funds for the society. Please send sealed bids to: Ellen Froggatt,…
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