Section 15 of the Commons Act 2006 changed the legal definition of a town or village green and sets out the qualifying circumstances in which land may be newly registered. Essentially anyone can apply to have land registered as a green if it has been used by local people for recreation 'as of right' (ie.without permission, force or secrecy) for at least 20 years.
Section 15 also allows a specific period of grace, if recreational use 'as of right' is ended by the landowner, during which an application for registration as a green may be made.
An application will need to show that the land in question has been used:
- For a period of at least twenty years
- For the purposes of lawful sports and pastimes
- 'As of Right' (i.e. without force, secrecy or permission)
- By the inhabitants of a locality, or a neighbourhood within a locality
Alternatively, a landowner may voluntarily register land as a new village green, in which case it is not necessary to demonstrate a set period of use.
Please note there is currently no fee to make a Town or Village Green application.
Application Form - CA9
Guidance - Town and village greens: how to register
Evidence Questionnaire (PDF 2MB)
Further information can be found on Defra's website and the Open Spaces Society.
| Reference Number | Description of land | Grid Reference | Application documents | Status of application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NL0035 | Land at Warcop and Sandford | 372937/516197 | Plans (PDF 835KB) | |
| NL0058 | Kingway and Glavehill, Dalston | 336942/549943 | ||
| CA9/4 | The Celtic, Walney Island | 318665/468036 | Plan (PDF 456KB) | |
| CA9/5 | Rosgill Green, Rosgill | 354024/516955 | Plan (PDF 1380KB) | |