Register of common land

We maintain the register of common land and village greens for the area under the Commons Registrations Act 1965.

You can inspect the register in electronic form at Library @ the Lightbox. You need to make an appointment for this by calling us on 01226 773054. Appointments are available Monday to Friday at 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm.

What the register contains

The register details the extents, rights and ownership in relation to areas of common land or town or village greens as registered under the Commons Registration Act 1965. Each area of common land and town or village green is listed in the register under a unique unit number. Each unit is divided into three sections.

Land section

The land section includes a description of the land, who applied to register the land, and when the land became finally registered. There are also plans which show the boundaries of the land.

Rights section

The rights section includes a description of the rights of common. An example of this could be a right to graze a certain amount of sheep. It also includes the area of common over which the right is exercisable, the name of the holder of the right, and whether the right is attached to land in the ownership of the holder of the right (the commoner) or is a right held in gross (unattached to land).

Ownership section

The ownership section includes details of the owner(s) of the common land. Entries in this section are not held to be conclusive.

What common land is

Common land and rights of common have their origin in the manorial system. Much of the land was used in common by peasants who held customary rights to share in it's produce. This could be for things such as grazing for stock and wood for fires. A proportion of our ancient common land has survived and appears on official common land registers and maps.

Common land is usually in private ownership, and has rights of common over it. The main features of common land are that it's generally open, unfenced and remote. They're usually in the uplands of England, but there are some lowland areas of common that are really important for recreational use.

What a town or village green is

Town or village greens have a similar history to common land. The difference is they're defined separately under the Commons Registration Act 1965. Village greens are usually areas of land within defined settlements of geographical areas. They're used for exercise and lawful sports and pastimes by local inhabitants or neighbourhoods within a locality.

Land forming town or village greens may be privately owned. Many greens are now owned and maintained by local parish or community councils. Some greens may also have rights of common, such as grazing rights over them.

Local authority searches

Enquiries relating to common land are often raised during the conveyancing process by submitting Optional Enquiry 22 on the Con29 (2016) Form. Find out more about local authority searches.

Development or fencing on common land

Works on common land are prohibited under Section 38 of the Commons Act 2006 and consent is required for development or fencing.