As a commons registration authority, we are responsible for maintaining the registers of common land and village greens.
This includes updating the registers when ownership of common rights change, or where rights are apportioned, although the circumstances in which we can amend the registers are limited. We amend the registers when we are notified by the land registry of changes in ownership of land and we can amend the registers in some instances to show changes in address. We are also responsible for registering 'new' village greens.
This register is a statutory document (Commons Registration Act, 1965) and shows all such registered land in our area. Each area of common land and town or village green is listed in the registers under a unique 'unit number'. A 'CL' prefix defines the land as common. Likewise, a 'VG' prefix defines the land as town or village green.
Each unit number in the register is divided in three sections showing details of:
- land – this includes a description of the land, who registered it and when the registration became finally registered. There are also related plans which show the boundaries of the land
- rights – this includes a description of the rights of common (i.e. the right to graze 100 sheep), over which area of the common they are exercisable, the name of the person (the 'commoner') who holds those rights and whether the rights arise by virtue of a separate land ownership by the commoner (i.e. they 'attach' to land)
- ownership – this includes details of owners of common land, but entries in this section of the register are not held to be conclusive.
What is common land?
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 proposals in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to permit public access to open countryside in the future will also include access to common land.
The Countryside Agency have published maps showing the land (including commons) to which the public will have access.
How to access the service
The registers are available for public inspection. You can contact us to make an appointment to view the registers.
We also carry out searches of the registers and provide certificates. Normally, a search is carried out when a property is being bought or sold. We charge a fee for this service, dependent upon the number of plots of land included in the search. We do not provide search forms, but they are available from law stationers.
Search certificates will reveal whether land is registered as common or village green, if there are rights of common, and whether or not ownership is registered.
For further information about searches, please use the contact details below.