Open Spaces Society

We have warned that the government’s ‘pro-growth’ planning agenda comes at the expense of social and environmental benefits. We believe that the government’s decisions on the statutory consultee system and National Planning Policy Framework (

Thanks to our local correspondent Chris Smith, the ancient way between Bosham and the Itchenor ferry, west of Chichester in West Sussex, has been added to the official map of public rights of way, enabling cyclists to gain access to and from the ferry.

The claimed route. Photo: Open Spaces Society

For many years the ferry across Ch...

We are delighted that land in Hertfordshire has been registered as common, giving it protection, and the public rights of access there.  The land failed to be registered as common land when the registers were first opened under the Commons Registration Act 1965 (the 1965 Act) for a three-year period.

Frithsden Beeches and the land abuttin...

Yesterday, 11 August 2026, was the 150th anniversary of the Commons Act 1876, the Act which spelt the death knell for the parliamentary inclosure of common land in England and Wales.

Our society, then the Commons Preservation Society, played a part in its enactment. Our president, Lord Eversley, with vice-presidents James Bryce MP, Charles Dilke MP, Henry Fawcett M...