The Open Spaces Society(1) objects to the proposed, unfair land swap on Clyne Common(2), Swansea, and will give evidence to a public inquiry which opens on Tuesday (6 August)(3).
The society joins the Gower Society and many other objectors in arguing that the Duke of Beaufort’s Somerset Trust land to be taken for housing is far superior to the land offered in exchange, and that the public will lose out as a result.
The trust wants to deregister 2.8 hectares on the eastern side of the common and replace it with 3.4 hectares, two kilometres away, on the western side, at Ryeground Farm.
Says Kate Ashbrook, the Open Spaces Society’s general secretary, who will appear at the inquiry:
‘We deplore this plan to destroy a splendid stretch of common land, rich in wildlife with superb views and a vital lung for the communities on the Swansea side of Clyne Common. The proposed replacement land is impossibly distant from the estates served by the existing common, and it is low lying with little biological diversity, a miserable alternative. We shall urge the inspector to reject this unjust proposal.’
Feature image: Clyne Common: the land proposed for building. Photo: Michael Crafer.
Visit: www.oss.org.uk
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, and exchanges of, common land require the consent of the environment minister, via the Planning and Environment Decisions Wales. Applications for exchange of common land, such as at Clyne Common, are made under section 16 of the Commons Act 2006 with a requirement to provide suitable exchange land.
3 The public inquiry is to be held at The Village Hote, Langdon Road, Waterfront, Swansea SA1 8QY, starting at 10.00 on Tuesday 6 August. The inspector is Vicki Hirst. The Gower Society and Open Spaces Society will be represented by Robin Green of Cornerstone Barristers.
