Common Land
There are around 550,000 hectares of registered common land in England and Wales – 4% of the total land area in England and Wales. The Commons Act 2006 aims to protect these areas of Common Land, in a sustainable manner delivering benefits for farming, public access and biodiversity.
Consultation on the implementation of Part 2 of the Commons Act 2006
Views are invited on proposals for implementing Part 2 of the Commons Act 2006, allowing for statutory commons councils with powers to manage agricultural activities, vegetation and commoners’ rights on common land. The deadline for responses is 28 November 2008.
Latest news
- Implementation of Part 1 of the Commons Act 2006 in seven pilot commons registration authority areas from 1 October 2008
In this section:
- What is Common Land?
Definition of common land and key facts and figures relating to common land. - What is the Commons Act?
Learn more about the Commons Act, what it aims to do, why we need a Commons Act. - How is the Commons Act implemented?
Read the latest implementation update, or find out which commencement orders have been made and which provisions of the Act have been commenced to date. - How is Common Land managed?
Find out how common land is managed, from byelaws to good practice guides. - Management Projects
Discover more about management projects that are looking into innovative ways of managing commons.
- What are Statutory Commons Councils?
Find out what Statutory Commons Councils are, what benefit they may add to Common Land management, and how they might be established. - Town and Village Greens
Discover more about Town and Village Greens, what they are, pilot implementation areas, and read the guidance on registering a new green.
- Commons Registration
Learn about the Commons registration policy, pilot implementation areas that are in the process of updating their registers, and establishing ownership. - Protection and consents
Find out how common land is protected, when consent is needed, decisions relating to consents and a consent database. - Court judgements
Court judgements of general interest in relation to common land and town and village greens. - National Common Land Stakeholder Group
This group advise on matters relating to the management of commons and particularly on the implementation of the Commons Act - Commons Acts 1876 and 1899
Learn about the relevant sections of these Common Acts - Research projects on Common Land
Find out about new and recently completed research projects that Defra use to improve our evidence base for policy decision making. - Contact us
Details of how to contact us
Page last modified: 23 October 2008
Page published: 23 October 2008