The Open Spaces Society(1), Britain’s leading pressure-group for common land(2), has objected to a planning application for a dwelling, garage, workshop, driveway and associated works on and adjacent to a common near Erwood in Powys.
Mr Richard King of Skreen Cottage, Llandeilo Graban, has applied for the development with no mention of the fact that the land affected is a registered common, The Skreen, CL25.
The society, in objecting, has pointed out that any such development would be unlawful unless the application had consent from the environment minister to deregister part of the common and provide suitable land in exchange, under section 16 of the Commons Act 2006. The society is supporting the representations made by Claire Lewis of Powys County Council’s commons registration department.
Says Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society:
‘It is deeply regrettable that the applicant failed to point out that the land is registered common, where the public has the right to walk and commoners have the right to graze sheep, cattle and horses. Indeed, on his form the applicant claims that it would not result in the loss of public open space, which is wrong.
‘Besides being unlawful without the relevant commons consent, the development will be an eyesore on the common and will interfere with people’s rights there.
‘We trust that Powys County Council will reject the application if the applicant does not withdraw it first.’
(1) The Open Spaces Society was founded in 1865 and is Britain’s oldest national conservation body. It campaigns to protect common land, village greens, open spaces and public paths, and people’s right to enjoy them.
(2) Common land is land subject to rights of common, to graze animals or collect wood for instance, or waste land of the manor not subject to rights. The public has the right to walk on all commons, and to ride on many. Commons are protected in that works on common land require the consent of the environment minister, via the Planning Inspectorate.
Visit: www.oss.org.uk
