Thanet open spaces win reprieve from sale
Thanet District Council in Kent has resolved not to sell off the Chine at the Western Undercliff in Ramsgate, and to reconsider the other proposed asset disposals. The Chine is an immensely important site, for public enjoyment and for wildlife. We are thrilled that Thanet District Council has recognised its public value and resolved to…
Read MoreGreens review rejected by experts’ gathering
The national seminar on common land and town and village greens on 1 July, at the University of Gloucester, rejected the notion of a wholesale review of the laws for the registration of new greens. Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, proposed the motion This seminar believes that little change is needed…
Read MoreTen-point plan for candidates in Westminster election, May 2010
We published our ten-point plan for candidates in the general election, and asked them to sign up to it. Action plan 1. A right of appeal, and a requirement to provide suitable alternative land, before public open space is taken for another purpose 2. Law change to give county and unitary authorities a duty to…
Read MoreWarlingham village green wins protection
A new village green has been registered in Surrey and saved from development. The green, known as The Back Green, is in Sunnybank, near Warlingham. We have congratulated the applicant Lee Fishwick, and those in the community who supported the application. Surrey County Council, the registration authority, agreed on 16 December 2009 to register the…
Read MoreThanet’s plans to sell off open space
We have deplored plans by Thanet District Council to sell off open spaces, which will be discussed at an extraordinary cabinet meeting on 20 May. The cabinet will hear from members of the public on its ‘potential asset disposal sites’ and will take a decision on the sell-off at a later date. There are plans…
Read MoreCommons and greens event
The eighth national seminar on common land and town and village greens organised by the Countryside and Community Research Institute will be on Thursday 1 July at the University of Gloucestershire’s Park Campus in Cheltenham. It will focus on best practice in the management and protection of commons and greens. Our general secretary and case…
Read More
Henley Town Council dedicates its green
We have praised Henley-on-Thames Town Council for setting an example to others. The society sent a message to the mayor, Councillor Mrs Elizabeth Hodgkin, to read out during the dedication of Gillott’s Field as a town green, at a town picnic on Sunday 25 April. The town council owns Gillott’s Field, a beauty-spot on the…
Read More
Cavendish village green in Suffolk is voted liveliest in country
TruGreen, the world’s largest professional lawn care company, together with The Sunday Telegraph, Life, has named Cavendish Village Green in Suffolk the liveliest in the country. Entrants were invited to send a picture and 50 words on why they thought their nominated village green was the liveliest in the country to the judges at TruGreen…
Read More
Englefield Green village green is saved
We are celebrating the decision by Helen Slade of the Planning Inspectorate, on behalf of the environment secretary, to refuse consent for works on Englefield Green village green in Surrey. The land is widely used by local people, and the inspector confirmed that the public have the right to enjoy the green for air and…
Read MoreTen-point plan for candidates
We have published our ten-point plan for candidates in the general election, and have asked them to sign up to it. To see the names of those who have said they support it, in whole or part, click here. Action plan 1. A right of appeal, and a requirement to provide suitable alternative land, before public…
Read More