Our Common Land

An Open Spaces Society publication

The seventh edition of Our Common Land by Paul Clayden has been revised and updated to include the many changes in the law which have taken place since the previous edition in 2006.

These include the bringing into force of part 1 of the Commons Act 2006, and the divergence of the law in England and Wales. This book takes account of the most recent court cases, and policy guidance on common land issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Welsh government.

There is also a substantial section dealing with town and village greens, which complements the society’s manual, Getting Greens Registered.

The book puts the law into practice. It is of value to local authorities, landowners, common right-holders, and the public.

Contents

  1. An introduction to common land and rights of common
  2. Commons registration
  3. Common land—the rights of the parties
  4. Management and control of common land
  5. Statutory protection of common land
  6. Town and village greens

Appendix 1: Commons regulated under the Commons Act 1987

Appendix 2: Bibliography

Total 164 pages

Further resources about Commons

Our latest posts about commons

Two beauty-spot commons in Cornwall saved

We are celebrating the quashing of an inspector’s two decisions to refuse to register new commons in Hayle, Cornwall.  On 30 December 2020, two applications were made to register common land, one by Tomas Hill in relation to 99 hectares of tidal land at Hayle Estuary, and another in relation to 54 hectares of land at Hayle Towans with Tomas Hill acting for the applicant.  The applications were made under the Commons…
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Our nine-point plan for the new Senedd

We have sent our nine-point plan for the new Senedd to our members in Wales to use when speaking to their candidates in the forthcoming election. Here is the manifesto. (Cymraeg yma) ________________________________________________ The opportunity for people to enjoy open spaces and paths, for their relaxation, health, well-being, and appreciation of nature, has never been…
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Finality for commons registration: one year left

We have issued a reminder of the impending deadline in one year’s time (15 March 2027) for applications to deregister common land in England.  Under Part 1 of the Commons Act 2006, applications can be made to deregister common land throughout England, save in seven local-authority pioneer areas where the deadline for applications has already…
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Dartmoor land restored as common

We are delighted that another, extensive, piece of the Dartmoor National Park in Devon has been registered as common land.  Planning Inspector Mark Yates has granted the society’s application to register as common about 12 square kilometres known as Walkhampton Common.  The land, which is immediately south-west of Princetown, is grazed and uncultivated.  In 1968,…
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