There’s a huge amount of information about Village Greens at the Planning Sanity website – they’ve also been very helpful in getting this application started.
To register a new village green we 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.
Applications generally go through a three-stage process:
Stage 1
Send a completed application form to the council (we’ve done that)
We had to supply the following documents:
- A map showing the boundaries of the proposed village green – done!
- A map outlining the area that local users of the land come from- done!
- A completed Statutory Declaration- done!
- Evidence forms or letters of support from residents. These describe when and how residents use this land – that’s where we need your help – if you can, do please fill out a witness statement to support the application.
Stage 2
The council will publicise the application and there will be a period for people to comment on the application is opened. It may be necessary to hold a hearing to determine the 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.
