New Advocate for Ealing's Paths and Green Spaces

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Kit Cawthorn appointed by The Open Spaces Society

Kit Cawthorn. Picture: The Open Spaces Society

October 15, 2025

The Open Spaces Society, Britain’s oldest national conservation charity, has appointed Kit Cawthorn as its new local correspondent for the London Borough of Ealing. In this voluntary role, Kit will support efforts to protect public paths, commons, greens, and other open spaces from inappropriate development and enclosure.

Kit, who is currently training to become a barrister with aspirations to specialise in land law, brings both legal insight and personal passion to the position. Having grown up fly-fishing and bee-keeping in rural Northumberland, he says he understands the value of accessible green spaces and is committed to safeguarding them for the benefit of Ealing’s residents.

“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,” Kit said. “Having moved to Ealing last year, I have seen how its parkland unites the community—as has been the role of town and village greens for many centuries. I look forward to ensuring that the people of Ealing can continue to enjoy their open spaces.”

Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, welcomed Kit’s appointment, noting, “Open spaces are threatened as never before, and it is excellent to have an advocate to speak up for them.”

The Open Spaces Society has a long history of defending green spaces in Ealing. Most notably, it has supported campaigns to protect Brent River Park, a vital corridor of wildlife-rich land along the River Brent. In recent years, the society objected to proposals for a large-scale leisure and residential development on the site of the Gurnell Leisure Centre, citing concerns about the impact on the tranquillity and ecological value of the park.

Earlier this year, the society also marked the 50th anniversary of Brent River Park, paying tribute to the grassroots campaigners who helped establish the park in the 1970s. Kate Ashbrook described the park as “a splendid oasis along the River Brent” and praised the community’s ongoing efforts to preserve it.

Through its national network of local correspondents, the Open Spaces Society assists with nearly 1,000 cases annually, helping communities across England and Wales defend their rights to access and enjoy public land.

Founded in 1865, the Open Spaces Society campaigns to protect common land, village greens, public paths, and open spaces. It provides expert advice, legal support, and advocacy to individuals and groups working to preserve public access and environmental heritage.

For more information, visit the Open Spaces Society website.

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