Dismay that Kirkby Moor wind turbines are to stay
A planning inspector has ruled that 12 wind turbines on common land at Kirkby Moor in Cumbria, close to the Lake District National Park, can remain until 2027. The applicant, Zephyr Investments Ltd (now Ventient Energy), appealed against South Lakeland District Council’s refusal to extend the life of the wind farm. The planning inspector, Mr…
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We win greater width for Mayfield footpath
Brendan Clegg, our local correspondent for Wealden District in East Sussex, has won a five-metre width on a footpath at Mayfield. The county council promoted a plan to move the path, but proposed that the new route had a width of only two and a half metres. Brendan argued that this was insufficient, particularly if…
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York Council agrees to step up its work on public paths
York City Council has agreed to step up its work on public paths. The decision was made by the council’s executive on 18 July, in response to a complaint by our member, Mr Graham Cheyne, to the local government ombudsman (LGO). On 9 May the LGO told the City of York Council that it must…
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Seven Sisters secured
We have welcomed East Sussex County Council’s proposal to transfer ownership of Seven Sisters Country Park to the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA). This follows nearly five years of uncertainty. Said our local representative, Brendan Clegg: ‘This is excellent news and a huge relief to all those who cherish this wonderful place. We are…
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End the scandal of secret paths
Fifty years on from the Countryside Act 1968, which required local authorities to signpost a public path where it leaves a road, many paths still lack signposts. We are calling for an end to this scandal. Join Open Spaces Society and add your voice to our ongoing battle. The society and the Ramblers were responsible…
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End the scandal of secret paths in Wales
Fifty years on from the Countryside Act 1968, which required local authorities to signpost a public path where it leaves a road, many paths still lack signposts. We are calling for an end to this scandal. Join Open Spaces Society and add your voice to our ongoing battle. The society and the Ramblers were responsible…
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Supporting Wastes and Strays
Our case officer, Nicola Hodgson, gave a presentation, at Newcastle university, to the inaugural Advisory Board meeting of the Wastes and Strays three year project which included reference to the Society’s publication Finding Common Ground about ascertaining local community interest on common land. The Society is a member of the Advisory Board which will oversee…
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Chester walking club celebrates centenary in style
‘The Chester Rambling and Hill Walking Club has provided pleasure and adventure to walkers for 100 years. It could take a lead in campaigning for walkers’ rights too.’ So said Kate Ashbrook, our general secretary, speaking at the club’s centenary dinner in Chester on Thursday 16 May. More than 135 club members at the dinner…
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York Council told to ramp up its work on public paths
We are pleased that the local government ombudsman has told the City of York Council that it must speed up its work on updating the official (definitive) map of public paths. This follows a complaint by our member Graham Cheyne about the council’s inaction on his application to add a path at Fulford to the…
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East Sussex steps up to replace missing signposts
We are pleased that East Sussex County Council has responded to pressure from path campaigners and has replaced missing signposts on many public paths in the county. Our local correspondents and other members reported missing signposts early in 2018, as part of the campaign to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Countryside Act 1968 which…
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