The Open Spaces Society(1), Britain’s oldest national conservation body, has slated Swansea Council’s plan to dispose of open space on Kilvey Hill, north-east of the city. The disposal is to make way for Skyline Swansea Ltd’s gigantic tourist development which does not yet have planning permission, and to which the society has also objected.
In its objection to the disposal of open space(2), the society points out that, in line with the council’s own policy(3), the council can only dispose of land if it is surplus, and that if it ‘is currently required to deliver their operational functions’ (paragraph 2a), it is unlikely to be surplus.
Says Kate Ashbrook, the society’s general secretary:
‘The land clearly is not surplus, it is of immense public value. It is criss-crossed by unrecorded public highways, which the council has not yet added to the definitive map of public rights of way.’
‘The council has no up-to-date definitive map since it was not required to produce one until 1983. Many of the unrecorded routes are bridleways and restricted byways, so that horse-riders, cyclists, and carriage drivers are particularly adversely affected. While they have been pressing for these routes to be added to the map, the council has pleaded insufficient resources and has failed to add them.
‘Much of the land proposed for disposal is mapped as access land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, so that people have a right to wander freely here on foot. The threatened land is close to people’s homes, providing recreational opportunities on their doorstep. Open spaces and paths are vital for people’s health and well-being, more now than ever—as the pandemic highlighted.’
Kate continues:
‘The disposal of this magnificent stretch of land will be severely detrimental to local residents and will deny them the crucial chance to enjoy the outdoors without needing to travel.
‘We have told the Swansea Council that the land is not surplus to requirements, and that it would be unlawful for the council to dispose of it.’
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 The notice of disposal is published at: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/kilveyhillnotice
Closing date for objections is 5pm on Monday 5 February.
3 The policy is Rules of Procedure (Land Transaction Procedure Rules) 2021.
