We fight plan to deregister part of Leigh Common, Wimborne
11 May 2017
We have objected to plans by Gleeson Developments Ltd to strike part of Leigh Common, east Wimborne in Dorset, from the common-land register. The developers want to build an access-road across the common to serve a new housing development on land south of Leigh Road which crosses the common. It also wants to widen the existing tarmac footway across the common to add a cycleway.
In March the developers applied to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, via the Planning Inspectorate, for consent for these works on the common, under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006. The society objected to the application which would suburbanise a rustic common and create an unacceptable intrusion. Moreover, the works would conflict with the public’s rights enjoy the common for quiet recreation and with the land’s status as common.
Shortly after submitting the application for works on common land the developers applied to Dorset County Council, the commons registration authority, to deregister part of Leigh Common so that it was no longer common land. The developers claimed that the land was wrongly registered under the Commons Registration Act 1965.
We have objected to this too, arguing that there is no evidence that any error was made when the common was registered.
Says Hugh Craddock, one of our case officers: ‘We are deeply concerned that the developers seem determined to damage the common in order to achieve their aims. They should respect the fact that their development is adjacent to a very special type of land, which carries public rights to walk and ride, and should alter their plans to accommodate the common.’
Disgusted- this is all about money. The legacy of my generation seems to be up destroy all green belt and common land. You can’t get it back you know. Also housing never seems to benefit the truly poor who reside in substandard abodes with no gardens. Trying to reclaim common land on a technicality is truly immoral.
It’s our common land! Not for sale or development. Make the company loose a house or more to put in the road!! Make sure at least a third are for local families who are on the council housing list! The developers should not be able to make huge profits !
I support this objection. Leigh Common is an important area of green space in Wimborne. The rural character of this part of Wimborne should be preserved. Wimborne does not need more tarmac. It needs sympathetic preservation of its assets.
Developers don’t care about any commons or woods etc and will build anywhere they can get away with, it must be stopped.
Keep open spaces open
More greedy developers, wimborne doesn’t have the infrastructure to cope with more development, especially with 600 new homes being built on the cranborne road. Surely,there are other sites more suited? Will they be happy when all the green and open space has been decimated by new housing? Who are these homes for? Local people? I doubt it.
I wish they would leave places like this alone, spent many hours bird watching and walking with my children all through that erea, leigh common,beautifull habitat for all manner of birds reptiles insects, animals including bank voles grass snakes lizards dragon flies butter flies moths the list is endless, they need to be stopped from building on our commons and wild life habitat, makes you mad these developers, lew,
I have lived here since 1962, I do not believe any mistake was made. There was once a road sign on the side of the A31 stating that this was Leigh Common, now the only sign is on the access road off the bottom of North Leigh lane.
I was going to write an objection after speaking to the council last week. Gleesons are clearing overreaching. Having been born and raised at at Candford Bottom, there was no mistake. It would also pave the way, so to speak, to remove the buffer strip between Wimborne and the the villages, contrary to the councils stated purpose to maintain it.
Of course this should not be allowed. There’s been far too much development in and around Wimborne already – why does our weak Council give in to greedy developers all the time? For goodness sake, nip this in the bud.
Im with you on this
We are deeply concerned that the developers seem determined to damage the common in order to achieve their aims. They should respect the fact that their development is adjacent to a very special type of land, which carries public rights to walk and ride, and should alter their plans to accommodate the common.’
Once again money before people, nature or common decency and rights of people and nature. Disgusting. It’s just wrong.
Along with new housing you need more commons, parks, free space …. not less. Think ahead! Please stop taking away the free spaces we have left. Yes we need more housing but everyone needs space to get outside. Adults and children need to have spaces they can walk to for their health and their sanity.
Green spaces are important any reduction of this common is a backward step
Future generations need green fields as we did as children!
Once these open green spaces are gone.. they are gone for good.. for future generations to enjoy, they must be protected at all costs
Thank you all very much for your supportive comments. As you may know, the Open Spaces Society is a small charity which relies on member subscriptions to fund its work and provide a mandate for action. Please do consider joining OSS to help us in our campaigns to protect other common land, village gbreens, open spaces and public rights of way.
Our countryside is for the use of anybody who wishes to take a stroll and a breath of fresh air in it, NOT FOR GREEDY BUSINESSES TO STEAL !!!
Leave the countryside alone!
it’s only the edge of the road being widened, not the whole common disappearing. If it’s needed for the housing development to take place then what’s the problem? Otherwise there will be no chance of affordable housing.
Corfe Mullen near by to Wimborne, we have open green space priority habitat decidious woodland, part sold to nearby house which is clearing it they work for counsel, two other homes in the community have purchased what they can to protect, but we have a middle section to battle for and how do we stop the house thats destroying part of woodlands, if anyone involved in Wimborne could u get in contact and give us an idea how council process is, please make contact – as no doubt you have the same as us same tree team, and asset management people – biodiversity payments etc no doubt you get my drift
We have replied directly to your email on this issue.
Thank you Ellen you were very prompt !