Village greens
A village green is an area where people in the community have enjoyed legitimate sports or pastimes as of right for at least 20 years.
Legitimate sports or pastimes include things like:
- cricket matches
- blackberry picking
- dog walking
- village fetes.
Claiming a new village green
To register a new village green you must prove that:
- the land is mainly used by local residents (rather than, say, day-trippers)
- it is used for legal activities
- it has been used for at least 20 years
- people haven't forced their way onto the land or used it in secrecy
- it has been used without the permission of the landowner.
If the land you wish to register as a village green is close to the county border or to Brighton & Hove, other local authorities may be responsible for dealing with your application. To check which local authority is responsible, please contact our Legal Services (see below).
How to apply
Applications go through a three-stage process:
Stage 1
If you wish to register land as a village green, please first visit the Defra website. This includes guidance notes and an application form to download – the ‘Town and Village Green Registration Application form':
Send the completed form to our Legal Services (see below).
You also will need to supply the following documents:
- A map showing the boundaries of the proposed village green.
- A map outlining the area that local users of the land come from.
- A completed Statutory Declaration.
This is included in the Defra form above, and must be witnessed by a solicitor or magistrate
- Evidence forms or letters of support from residents. These describe when and how residents use this land – please download and print as many copies as you need:
Stage 2
Once we receive your application, it is publicised and a period for people to comment on the application is opened. It may be necessary to hold a hearing to determine your application. The person hearing the matter will then write a report and recommend whether or not the land should be registered as a village green.
Stage 3
A committee with special responsibility for these applications – the Commons and Village Green Registration Panel – has the final say about whether or not village green status is granted. They consider the report then write to all parties concerned to confirm the final decision.
Register of greens
The Council holds a register of village greens which is updated with all successful applications.
You can make an appointment to see the register – see contact details below.
Contact us
To check which local authority is responsible, make an appointment to see the register of greens or send us your application form, please contact Legal Services.
