Good practice guidance
A Common Purpose: A guide to agreeing management on common land
This new guide provides advice for those interested in managing common land. The guide was prepared by the Countryside and Community Research Unit, University of Gloucestershire, and sponsored by a partnership of English Nature, Rural Development Service, Open Spaces Society, The Countryside Agency and The National Trust. It was published in December 2005.
The aim of the document is to introduce and outline a process that anyone concerned with the long-term management of common land can follow and implement. The approach is based on the principle of working with stakeholders to create increased levels of awareness of the issues and values related to their common and the range of possible solutions that could tackle one specific issue while respecting other values and interests in the common. By developing an increased understanding of all stakeholders’ views, and agreeing the problems before proposing solutions this approach seeks to promote the development of sound, effective management proposals based on co-operation.
- A Common Purpose - English Nature website
Good practice guide on managing the use of Common land
In June 1998, the then DETR published the Good Practice Guide on Managing the Use of Common Land. The Guide was produced to provide practical solutions to problems experienced in the governance and management of common land.
The Guide takes into account the role played by local arrangements and customs in the management of common land. It aims to assist in securing long-lasting solutions so that each individual area of common land may be sustained and well managed into the future.
The Guide is designed to assist all those who use and manage common land - landowners, commoners, local authorities, national and local countryside organisations and individuals.
The Guide is now out of print, but can be downloaded from this website. If you need a machine readable version of this document, please contact us.
- Good Practice Guide on Managing the Use of Common Land
[3MB, large file size]
The Commons Act 2006 and voluntary dedication of land as a town or village green
This non-statutory guidance note provides advice to landowners in England on dedicating land under section 15(8) of the Commons Act 2006 as a town or village green and on alternative mechanisms to provide public access to land. It does not attempt to provide a comprehensive explanation of every issue.
Page last modified: 03 January 2008
Page published: 5 February 2003