Unwelcome review of process for registering new greens
We are disappointed at the tone and content of the consultation from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on the registration of new town and village greens. Read more here. Says our case officer, Nicola Hodgson: ‘The basis for the consultation, that there is an abuse of the legislation, is contrary to…
Read MoreWe slate proposed demolition of planning system
We have slated the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), published for consultation yesterday (25 July) by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). Read more here. The society argues that it proposes demolition of the planning system which has served the country well for more than 60 years. Says Nicola Hodgson, our case…
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Bradwell Parish Council secures peace garden for ever
Bradwell Parish Council in Derbyshire has registered the Peace Garden as a village green. This will ensure that this small triangle in the heart of the village is safe for ever. Derbyshire County Council, the commons and greens registration authority, confirmed the registration on 10 May. The Open Spaces Society, which is the leading organisation…
Read MoreGo-ahead for Mumbles development on common land
Swansea Council has given outline planning permission to Amusement Equipment Co Ltd for a major development on the headland and foreshore at Mumbles. The society, the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), Martin Caton MP, and the Gower Society were among the numerous objectors whose concerns have been overruled. Says our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook: ‘The…
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Sugary Green, Dartmouth, saved
The outstanding natural beauty of Sugary Green (near Castle Cove, Dartmouth) and its breathtaking view of the mouth of the river Dart have been protected for ever. When a major development of the site, with infrastructure and parking, was proposed in 2009, local publisher Richard Webb formed The Friends of Sugary Green, an action group…
Read MoreShepherd’s Bush Common victory
As part of the planning permission for the vast new Westfield shopping centre, Hammersmith and Fulham Council had extracted from the developers generous contributions under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for other local regeneration improvements. These included a desirable refurbishment of the adjacent Shepherds Bush Common. This is an intensively-used…
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Authorising structures on rights of way
Defra published in October 2010 good practice guidance for local authorities on compliance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to structures on rights of way. As it is no longer available on the Government’s website, we have it here: Authorising structures (gaps, gates & stiles) on rights of way The Pittecroft Trust has published…
Read MorePlans to extend the National Parks – your chance to respond
Friends of the Lake District want to make the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks bigger. Natural England is asking for your views on the proposed boundary extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks now. Friends of the Lake District, the Campaign for National Parks and their key supporter group, which…
Read MoreLocalism Bill threatens open spaces
We have once again criticised the Localism Bill, the Government’s flagship measure for giving people power to run their local communities. The bill is due for a second reading in the House of Lords on Tuesday 7 June. Our case officer Nicola Hodgson, says: ‘We believe one of the bill’s most important aspects should be…
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Chiltern common saved from enclosure
We are relieved that the environment secretary has rejected plans by the Nettlebed and District Commons Conservators to erect more than two kilometres of fencing around Kingwood Common in the Oxfordshire Chilterns. The application for works on the common under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006 was heard at a public inquiry in April,…
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