The Open Spaces Society gives advice on how to protect common land.The paragraphs below are extracts from their website. I think we ought to contact them (if someone hasn't already)and get their advice and help in stopping the enclosure. Especially as they are a statutory consultee.


If anyone wants to erect a work on common land, they must apply for the consent of the Secretary of State for Environment in England (section 38 of the Commons Act 2006) or the Welsh Assembly Government (section 194 of the Law of Property Act 1925) in addition to any planning or other consent that is required. The Open Spaces Society is consulted and will express a view. Certain works are exempt from these procedures.

If a work has been erected without consent, the landowner, commoners or local authority may be able to take action and, under certain circumstances, the public can too. If you wish to consider taking action against an unlawful work on your common, we can offer advice.

We have published two information sheets on this subject (C1E/W and C2E/W). Email us to order copies of these (please note: for non-members of the society there will be a charge of £5.00 for this information sheet).

This is a fantastic suggestion. Thank you. We will follow it up and let you know the result.

The Open Spaces Society (or the "Commons, Open Spaces and Footpaths Preservation Society" as was) was very active in helping to prevent West Ham Council from building on 23 acres of Wanstead Flats in 1946. Good to know they're still around. Can we get them on board in a formal sort of way?

Will post a full update tomorrow, but just a quick note to say: they are on the ball and supporting us through our Friends "Friends of Wanstead Park"