Helipad on Northumberland common
We have objected to a planning application from the East Allenheads Estate which would damage part of Allendale Common in Northumberland. The application is for a helicopter-landing area with concrete hard-standing. The applicant claims that this is a retrospective application to re-surface an existing helicopter landing, but the Open Spaces Society and other objectors argue…
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We fight fencing plan on Ugthorpe Common
The society has objected to an application from the Mulgrave Estate for nearly a mile of new fencing on Ugthorpe Common near Whitby in the North York Moors National Park. This is in addition to a retrospective application to replace more than two miles of fencing on the common. The estate applied to the Secretary…
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We save path at Honing and East Ruston in Norfolk
A footpath in the parishes of Honing and East Ruston in north Norfolk has been reopened, thanks to the persistence of our local correspondent Ian Witham. In 2012 Ian reported to the highway authority, Norfolk County Council, that part of footpath 15 in Honing and 27 in East Ruston was under water from the construction…
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Changes to Cornwall’s common-land register
We are delighted that a planning inspector has granted two of the society’s applications to restore parts of Cornwall’s commons to the register. These are Cosgarne or Twelveheads Common near Chacewater and Maenporth Beach at Falmouth. The grounds of the applications were that both areas should have become finally registered at the time of the…
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Unlawful fence removed from Nottinghamshire common
Nottinghamshire County Council has persuaded a householder to remove an unlawful fence from Hanging Hill Lane common, Normanton-on-Trent. We urged the council to act after the environment secretary rejected a retrospective application for works on common land. The common is a long strip, consisting of Hanging Hill Lane and a broad verge on either side.…
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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 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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