Common Land
Historic grazing rights
Common land is privately owned but other people (commoners) have legal rights to use it, typically for grazing animals or collecting wood. It's protected from development and has existed since medieval times.
What This Means
This property is on or near common land - a unique UK designation where local people have historic rights to use the land, even though it's privately owned.
Practical Advice
- Common land has strong protection from development
- Planning permission for building is almost impossible
- Cannot fence, plough, or develop common land without consent
- Local people may have grazing rights (cows, sheep, horses)
- Often enhances property value due to open space
- Secretary of State consent needed for any works
Key Points
- What it is: Land with historic rights for local people to use
- Common rights include: grazing, collecting wood (estovers), fishing
- Cannot build on or enclose common land
- Protected under Commons Act 2006
- Includes village greens and historic grazing commons
- Examples: Clapham Common, Wimbledon Common, New Forest
- Over 550,000 hectares in England and Wales
- Registration protects the land permanently
Additional Information
Common land is a unique feature of English and Welsh law dating back centuries. It provides protected green space but makes development virtually impossible.
Data Source: Local authority Commons Register
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