Britain’s oldest conservation charity has appointed a new local advocate to protect green spaces across Ealing.
The Open Spaces Society has named Kit Cawthorn, a barrister-in-training, as its local correspondent for the London Borough of Ealing. In the voluntary role, he will monitor planning proposals and challenge developments that threaten parks, commons and footpaths.
Mr Cawthorn, who moved to Ealing last year, said he was “thrilled” to take on the position. He said: “Despite the stated commitment from successive governments to conserving Britain’s natural environment, it is evident that our legislation provides insufficient protection for our paths and green spaces. Ealing’s parkland unites the community—as has been the role of town and village greens for many centuries.”
Raised in rural Northumberland, where he learned fly-fishing and beekeeping, Mr Cawthorn said his upbringing had given him a lifelong appreciation of open land. He now hopes to apply his growing legal knowledge, with a future specialism in land law, to defending the borough’s threatened landscapes.
The Open Spaces Society, founded in 1865, campaigns to safeguard commons, greens and public rights of way across England and Wales. Its network of local correspondents plays a key role in scrutinising local authorities and developers.
Kate Ashbrook, the charity’s general secretary, welcomed the appointment. She said: “Open spaces are threatened as never before. It is excellent to have an advocate to speak up for them.”
Steven Toft, treasurer of the Brent River Park charity and an Open Spaces Society member said of Mr Cawthorn joining: “The appointment of Kit Cawthorn, as a frontline advocate for green and accessible spaces is excellent news. The Open Spaces Society (OSS) has been a champion of our Brent River Park for many years. They have supported us in a number of campaigns, most recently over the proposed building on our floodplain at Gurnell and the attempt to enclose part of the Public Open Space at Fox Meadow in Hanwell.”
He added: “The appointment of a dedicated advocate will strengthen the OSS capacity in Ealing where, as in so many places, open spaces are constantly under threat. We look forward to working with Kit to safeguard and enhance our paths and green spaces in Ealing.“
