Saxon Shore Way victory for campaigners

Campaigners are celebrating an inspector’s decision not to allow 18 houses to be built near a long-distance footpath.The Open Spaces Society (OSS) had backed Medway Council, in Kent, in opposing the construction of 18 extra dwellings on open land in a conservation area at Gillingham Green.Following a public inquiry, the inspector Ava Wood ruled dismissed the appeal by Taylor Woodrow Developments who had wanted to build on land crossed by the Saxon Shore Way, a long-distance path.Ms Wood said: “This swathe of open ground provides relief from the intensity of development in the locality.”Pat Wilson, local representative of the OSS, said: “This is a brilliant New Year present for all Gillingham and Medway residents who enjoy the land near Gillingham Strand and the many people who walk the Saxon Shore Way.“The area is largely defined by the chain of open spaces that connect and contribute to the setting of the prominent, Grade II listed, ancient church and to the church grounds.“‘We are grateful to councillors who stuck to their guns over so many years to protect this oasis, and to the Medway Countryside Forum who supported them at the public inquiry.”.

Foot-and-mouth scare over as pigs cleared

A foot-and-mouth disease scare is over after scientists gave the all-clear to samples taken from pigs.Officials had examined specimens taken from an abattoir in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Residents' blockade stops council path work

Council workers were forced to abandon surfacing work on an old drovers’ track after a blockade by residents.Locals in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, cut off the 200-year-old cobbled road with cars when they saw council workermen tarring over the surface.Scottish Borders Council had to abandon work on the half-mile stretch, which forms part of the Southern Upland Way.

Ramblers' figurehead arrested on race charge

A Ramblers’ Association vice-president has been arrested on suspicion of racially abusing a woman.Police bailed Janet Street-Porter after questioning her when she voluntarily went to a north London police station.A spokesman said: “On 16 January, a 59-year-old woman attended a north London police station by appointment and was arrested in connection with an alleged racially aggravated public-order offence.“She was later bailed to return in February pending further inquiries.”Ms Street-Porter was president of the Ramblers’ Association between 1994 and 1997 and is now a vice-president, an honorary title accorded to those who have served as president.

Highland casualty airlifted to hospital

A man was taken to hospital today after falling while on a Highland mountain.The unnamed casualty was airlifted by Royal Navy helicopter to Belford Hospital in Fort William after the incident in the Stob Coire Easain area near Roy Bridge, Lochaber.The alarm was raised early this afternoon and the aircrew from HMS Gannet flew the man to hospital.

Ratho reopening put back to next month

The partial re-opening of the troubled Ratho Centre in Edinburgh has been put back to next month.The £30m centre, which went into receivership in 2004, was bought by Edinburgh City Council and is now being run by Edinburgh Leisure, a not-for-profit organisation.

Brecon national park wants your pictures

The Brecon Beacons National Park is fifty this year and its authority wants your memories of living in the area.But, in common with many organisations now, the National Park Authority is on a rights-grab of any material submitted by the public.In essence, the authority wants you to sign over all rights if you send them photographs which end up winning its competition.

Helicopter rescue for Crib Goch mountaineer

An RAF helicopter rescued a woman lost in the dark on Snowdon.The unnamed woman, from York, used her mobile phone to call for help when she became disoriented on Crib Goch.She rang the rescue services around 8pm last night and a search-and-rescue helicopter was scrambled from nearby RAF Valley on Anglesey.

Fort William festival starts this week

Fort William hosts its annual mountain festival later this week.The fortnight of celebrations of everything to do with the pointy bits of our landscape kicks off (or should that be strides out?) on Friday with winter workshops on walking and avalanche awareness, a photography exhibition of Shackleton’s ill-fated Antarctic expedition and writing workshops.There will also be the first viewing of the light show on the hillside of Meall an t-Slamain plus a lecture on white-water kayaking.