Can I apply to have land registered as a Town or Village Green?
If you are a resident of a defined locality or neighbourhood you can apply to have a piece of land registered as a Town or Village Green. You will need to produce sufficient evidence that the land has been used for the enjoyment of lawful sports and pastimes for more than 20 years. Examples of such pastimes are dog-walking, picnics, ball games, and jogging. For your application to be successful you will also have to show that this was done as of right, without force, without secrecy and without permission, i.e. without breaking down fences, ignoring ‘private property’ signs etc.
For further information on registering Town or Village Greens, and to make an application please download the documents below.
Alternatively, you can contact us in the following ways:
01925 442819
Or write to: Richard Evans, Development Services, Environment & Regeneration, New Town House, Buttermerket Street, Warrington, WA1 2NH
Documents:
Village_green_application_process.doc
Village_green_application_form.pdf
Village_green_guidance_notes.pdf
Village_green_FAQs.pdf
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What is Common Land?
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What is a Town or Village Green?
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Common land is land, usually in private ownership, that has rights of common over it. The main features of common land are that it is generally open, unfenced and remote - particularly in the upland areas of England and Wales. However, there are some lowland areas of common, particularly in the south-east of England, that are important for recreational uses.
Currently, the general public have no rights to go onto common land unless the land is an urban common, or is crossed by public rights of way (and they follow the line of the right of way). However, the government's legislation in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to permit public access to open countryside may now also include access to common land.
The Countryside Agency have published maps showing the land (including commons) to which the public have access in this locality.
Rights of common can include:
- grazing sheep or cattle (herbage)
- taking peat or turf (turbary)
- taking wood, gorse or furze (estovers)
- taking of fish (piscary)
- eating of acorns or beechmast by pigs (pannage)
The people who are able to exercise the rights listed above are generally known as 'commoners'.
Common land and rights are a very ancient institution - even older than Parliament itself. They are part of the fabric of life in England and Wales and have their origins in the manorial system. Follow the link below to find out how the Commons Act 2006 affects common land.
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Town or village greens share a similar history to common land. However, they are defined separately for the purposes of the Commons Registration Act 1965.
Village greens are usually areas of land within defined settlements or geographical areas which local inhabitants can go onto for the exercise of lawful sports and pastimes. Typically, these might include organised or ad-hoc games, picnics, fetes and other similar activities.
Whilst land forming town or village greens may be privately owned, many greens are owned and maintained by local parish or community councils. Some greens may also have rights of common (ie grazing of livestock) over them.
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