Open Spaces Society Comments on Pen Y Fai Common

Open Spaces Society ,⁽¹⁾ Britain’s leading pressure-group for the protection of common land,⁽²⁾ is pleased that Welsh Ministers have rejected an application for timber posts on Pen Y Fai Common at Bridgend.

The application for works on common land was made by Save Our Greenery, to prevent vehicles from parking on the common.

The decision letter came from planning inspector Joanne Burston, on behalf of the Welsh ministers who determine applications for works on common land under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006.  Ms Burston noted that Pen y Fai Common is partly wooded and forms an attractive walking area, and that the posts would be an eyesore and were in excess of what was needed.

She was also concerned that Bridgend Council, the highway authority, had stated that the posts would cause problems of highway safety.  Parking is prohibited on the common and Ms Burston considered that the relevant enforcement body should take action again it.

She rejected the application because of its adverse effect on the landscape and the significant harm to highway safety.

Says Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society:

‘We are pleased that the application has been rejected. It was muddled and lacking the relevant information. It is important to protect the landscape and natural beauty of commons.  We consider that the landowner, Dunraven Estates, and Bridgend Council should take the necessary action to stop this damaging parking on the common.’

Notes

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.  Before any works can be constructed on common land the applicant must obtain the consent of the Welsh ministers (via the Planning Inspectorate) under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006.

Image courtesy of Bridgend Countryside

Visit: oss.org.uk