| Topic: | Re:Re:Spencer Benches - Link to OBJECTIONS | |
| Posted by: | John Cameron | |
| Date/Time: | 29/03/18 13:04:00 |
| @ Jessica As you correctly point out the Telegraph benches are on common land as are the deck chairs at the Hand in Hand in Wimbledon. The Spencer and Telegraph pay a licence fee, however the Hand in Hand does not. While the benches may be free for residents to use, they are clearly a commercial use of the commons by all three pubs. The issue is whether the commons are there to be exploited commercially by business, for profit. The 1871 Act is very explicit as to how the commons are protected and neither the trustees nor residents have the power to change the Act. Do you, for example think that the Royal Wimbledon Golf Club appropriation of a substantial area common land as a private car park is acceptable? Land that will NEVER be returned to common? Or the appropriation of the bowling club or access land at Putney Hospital by Wandsworth Council? Both lost forever. Do you value the ability to picnic on the commons more than the protection of the commons for future generations? The appropriation of the land for a beer garden for the Spencer is unlawful under the 1871 Act that created the commons. It is this sort of casual attitude to the Act that has led to the diminishing over recent years. 34. The Conservators shall at ALL times keep the commons OPEN, unenclosed, and unbuilt on, except as regards such parts thereof as are at the passing of this Act inclosed or built on, and except as otherwise in this Act expressed, and shall by ALL lawful means prevent, resist and abate ALL encroachments and attempted encroachments on the commons, and protect the commons and preserve them as OPEN spaces, and resist ALL proceedings tending to the inclosure, or appropriation for ANY purpose of any part thereof. 35. It shall NOT be lawful for the Conservators, except as in this Act expressed, to sell, lease, grant, or in any manner dispose of any part of the commons. 36. The Conservators shall at ALL times preserve, as far as may be, the NATURAL aspect and state of the commons, and to that end shall PROTECT the turf, gorse, heather, timber, and other trees, shrubs, and brushwood thereon. |