Go-ahead for development beside Swansea common
We are disappointed that Carrington Moore Estates, in which the former Welsh rugby captain Andy Moore has an interest, has obtained planning consent for development adjoining Picket Mead Common at Newton, Swansea. The battle has raged over many years, but finally Carrington won its appeal to Welsh Ministers against Swansea Council’s refusal of planning consent. The…
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Objectionable developments on Clapham Common
We have objected to plans to use part of Clapham Common, Lambeth, for filming Sky One’s ‘Got to Dance’. The society was founded in 1865 initially to protect the London commons from development, and we consider that this current proposal needs special common-land consent as well as planning permission. We are particularly angry that the development…
Read MoreMuch-loved Dorking footpath to be moved
A beautiful footpath near Dorking, in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is to be moved. The decision was made by a planning inspector, Mr Michael Aldous, following a public inquiry last July. The Open Spaces Society was represented as an objector by its local member Michèle Kohler. The footpath, number 111, ran…
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‘No-fence’ solution for Litcham Common
We are delighted that the removal of roadside fencing across Litcham Common, seven miles north-east of Swaffham in Norfolk, has begun. With help from the Open Spaces Society, Litcham Common Management Committee persuaded Norfolk County Council to install two cattle-grids on Dunham Road, where it crosses the common boundary. This means that fencing alongside the…
Read MoreEssex rail-crossing saved for walkers, riders and cyclists
A planning inspector has ruled that Motts Lane crossing of the railway line at Witham, about 10 miles north-east of Chelmsford in Essex, must remain open. The crossing is a public bridleway for use by walkers, horse-riders and cyclists. Network Rail wanted to close the crossing on alleged grounds of safety and offered to provide…
Read MoreChippenham Mead village green saved from development
The Welsh Government has not given consent for an application from Monmouth Sports Club to erect a large covered shelter on Chippenham Mead village green, Monmouth, in connection with the sporting activities there.. The club applied to the Welsh Government for permission to construct the works on the village green having obtained planning permission. Mr…
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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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