Group will fight cycle plans for common

East Riding Council’s plan for the cycleway alongside the B1230 across Beverley Westwood, in exchange for land at Longcroft School, sparked protests that it would “urbanise” the commonland.

A planning inquiry on October 28, which was to hear objectors, including Beverley Civic Society and the Open Spaces Society, has been cancelled.

However, the council landowner has now approached the Pasture Masters, the traditional administrators of the Westwood, Swinemoor and Figham Pastures, with an alternative, which would see the area once occupied by Fishwicks Mill, registered as commonland. Chairman Allan English reluctantly supports the new plan. He said: “We met the council and agreed that the land which was not registered as commonland, should be registered. It will more than make up the couple of feet they are taking for the cycle track.”

But Prof Barbara English, of Beverley Civic Society, said everyone in Beverley considered the piece of land to be already part of the Westwood. She added: “I think they are giving them something they already own. The Civic Society will continue to oppose it. By taking a strip about half a mile long along the side of the road they are still diminishing the pasture, which is against common law and the Commons legislation.”