Commons Act 2006

[^key-ce039e215aeaf686ed035291e7e4ed79]: S. 15A(8) omitted (6.9.2015 for specified purposes, 22.10.2018 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), ss. 52(3), 58(2)(b)(4)(b); S.I. 2018/1022, art. 2(a)

[^key-5add8a4e84a8c74a4ceab8fe08cdb2d0]: Words in s. 15C(1) omitted (6.9.2015 for specified purposes, 22.10.2018 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), ss. 53(2)(a)(i), 58(2)(b)(4)(b); S.I. 2018/1022, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

[^key-6a5fc34e0bfb83ef429ef01def2e992e]: Words in s. 15C(1) substituted (6.9.2015 for specified purposes, 22.10.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), ss. 53(2)(a)(ii), 58(2)(b)(4)(b); S.I. 2018/1022, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

[^key-88a7b1405230bca151996ad4f65e22ba]: Words in s. 15C(2) inserted (6.9.2015 for specified purposes, 22.10.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), ss. 53(2)(b), 58(2)(b)(4)(b); S.I. 2018/1022, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

[^key-14dfb4b0e233d234c91ad2b0f03f8eec]: Words in s. 15C(3) substituted (6.9.2015 for specified purposes, 22.10.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), ss. 53(2)(c), 58(2)(b)(4)(b); S.I. 2018/1022, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

[^key-7bd265b269e5fbc5f72f927367c2f0f1]: Words in s. 15C(4) substituted (6.9.2015 for specified purposes, 22.10.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), ss. 53(2)(c), 58(2)(b)(4)(b); S.I. 2018/1022, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

[^key-8db67c01130dab8bb20ab2b7e4ad5746]: Words in s. 15C(5) substituted (6.9.2015 for specified purposes, 22.10.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), ss. 53(2)(d)(i), 58(2)(b)(4)(b); S.I. 2018/1022, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

[^key-f1aa2d834524add900dbd5d4dd740305]: Words in s. 15C(5) substituted (6.9.2015 for specified purposes, 22.10.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), ss. 53(2)(d)(ii), 58(2)(b)(4)(b); S.I. 2018/1022, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

[^key-7e61d0a1d579e38338ec3785adf68eff]: S. 15C(9) inserted (6.9.2015 for specified purposes, 22.10.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), ss. 53(2)(e), 58(2)(b)(4)(b); S.I. 2018/1022, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

[^key-6dab383093a0ce3f0db92d4ac9b08bbe]: Sch. 1A title substituted (6.9.2015 for specified purposes, 22.10.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), ss. 53(3), 58(2)(b)(4)(b); S.I. 2018/1022, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

[^key-f0d4e827f3cdeff44ae8aed8051d4a3c]: Sch. 1B inserted (6.9.2015 for specified purposes, 22.10.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), s. 58(2)(b)(4)(b), Sch. 6; S.I. 2018/1022, art. 2(b) (with art. 3)

[^key-c352586c2766972736a685b9320dc07c]: S. 39 applied (1.3.2019) by Church Property Measure 2018 (No. 8), ss. 30(3), 53(2); S.I. 2019/97, art. 2

[^key-ae957ef9fb880a363edcddddc5905005]: S. 40 applied (1.3.2019) by Church Property Measure 2018 (No. 8), ss. 30(3), 53(2); S.I. 2019/97, art. 2

[^key-c426fbe14a03ca39f1ede26eb0f022c1]: Sch. 4 para. 5 and cross-heading repealed (1.3.2019) by Church Property Measure 2018 (No. 8), s. 53(2), Sch. 3 (with Sch. 2); S.I. 2019/97, art. 2

[^key-85fe002562eb11b70e1730f2d2d4d983]: S. 14(3)(b) substituted (E.) (1.3.2019) by Church Property Measure 2018 (No. 8), s. 53(2), Sch. 1 para. 21; S.I. 2019/97, art. 2

[^key-d3ffcacb934cfa79398e3184db02934d]: S. 8(1) restricted (12.5.2021) by The Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/493), regs. 1, 4

[^key-8e79bacff1173ccb80c1a49148f942b4]: S. 8(1) restricted (12.5.2021) by The Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/493), regs. 1, 5

[^key-0b698f480ddffb3118bad44f69e4ecb0]: S. 8(1) restricted (12.5.2021) by The Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/493), regs. 1, 6

[^key-54706cf1ac6276551ae820d0dbc156ef]: S. 8(1) restricted (12.5.2021) by The Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/493), regs. 1, 7

[^key-29b1e283b91feada1239c324cd517621]: S. 8(1) restricted (12.5.2021) by The Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/493), regs. 1, 8

[^key-3f44fab69c644ed593e918d583aa4dc9]: S. 8(1) restricted (12.5.2021) by The Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/493), regs. 1, 9

[^key-2b1a474999717636d484495fc0f92cae]: S. 52 in force at 30.9.2021 for specified purposes for W. by S.I. 2021/1015, art. 2(a)

[^key-33d8e46796aa000d571e446b911335e2]: Sch. 5 para. 5(c) in force at 30.9.2021 for W. by S.I. 2021/1015, art. 2(b)

[^key-393ff5fee2ef88273973ce702fb96c92]: Pt. 1 excluded (25.3.2022) by The Bridgwater Tidal Barrier Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/299), arts. 1, 4(10) (with art. 55)

[^key-27de972732721263bb02893502aaae7c]: S. 38(1) modified (coming into force in accordance with s. 13 of the amending Act) by Monken Hadley Common Act 2022 (c. ii), s. 7(3) (with s. 8(3))

[^key-2585f422d26907f667a6b3819d72d797]: Words in Sch. 1A substituted (1.5.2025) by The Town and Country Planning (Fees and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/418), regs. 1(3), 15

[^key-c6afe33a6328006c52dd4faf32797763]: Words in Sch. 1A substituted (25.3.2026) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(3)(b), Sch. 8 para. 27(a)(i) (with s. 247); S.I. 2026/169, reg. 3(f)(xi) (with Sch. 1)

[^key-7c9603258afeb7de6d084cf7922db9ba]: Words in Sch. 1A substituted (25.3.2026) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(3)(b), Sch. 8 para. 27(a)(ii) (with s. 247); S.I. 2026/169, reg. 3(f)(xi) (with Sch. 1)

[^key-a121f7a8e7e33330c5c55bdde725f9a9]: Words in Sch. 1A inserted (25.3.2026) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(3)(b), Sch. 8 para. 27(b)(i) (with s. 247); S.I. 2026/169, reg. 3(f)(xi) (with Sch. 1)

[^key-debcb940a8165d60dc36c650e1afd23b]: Words in Sch. 1A substituted (25.3.2026) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(3)(b), Sch. 8 para. 27(b)(ii) (with s. 247); S.I. 2026/169, reg. 3(f)(xi) (with Sch. 1)

[^key-77da35bb1493e99f4a20dcbcd7a352b0]: Words in Sch. 1A substituted (25.3.2026) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(3)(b), Sch. 8 para. 27(c) (with s. 247); S.I. 2026/169, reg. 3(f)(xi) (with Sch. 1)

[^key-1d4d16a4148821a6eddeef4e3b8ae541]: Words in Sch. 1A inserted (25.3.2026) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(3)(b), Sch. 8 para. 27(d) (with s. 247); S.I. 2026/169, reg. 3(f)(xi) (with Sch. 1)

[^key-55fa993facc49c4147b10b458c0dc589]: Words in Sch. 1A substituted (25.3.2026) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(3)(b), Sch. 8 para. 27(e) (with s. 247); S.I. 2026/169, reg. 3(f)(xi) (with Sch. 1)

[^key-d96b67998883ba9188dca23a546ba61b]: Words in Sch. 1A inserted (25.3.2026) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(3)(b), Sch. 8 para. 27(f)(i) (with s. 247); S.I. 2026/169, reg. 3(f)(xi) (with Sch. 1)

[^key-e106072bbbd7f5c77acd24d619cee8b0]: Words in Sch. 1A substituted (25.3.2026) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(3)(b), Sch. 8 para. 27(f)(ii) (with s. 247); S.I. 2026/169, reg. 3(f)(xi) (with Sch. 1)

[^key-89568a44f5f88c5f9f7f163e9121a9db]: Words in Sch. 1A inserted (25.3.2026) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(3)(b), Sch. 8 para. 27(g) (with s. 247); S.I. 2026/169, reg. 3(f)(xi) (with Sch. 1)

Purpose of registers

Surrender and extinguishment

Correction

Register of section 15A statements

Supplementary

Deregistration and exchange: orders

Register of section 15A statements

15C

• (1) The right under section 15(1) to apply to register land ... as a town or village green ceases to apply if an event specified in the first column of the Table set out in the relevant Schedule has occurred in relation to the land (“a trigger event”).

• (2) Where the right under section 15(1) has ceased to apply because of the occurrence of a trigger event, it becomes exercisable again only if an event specified in the corresponding entry in the second column of the Table set out in the relevant Schedule occurs in relation to the land ( “a terminating event”).

• (3) The appropriate national authority may by order make provision as to when a trigger or a terminating event is to be treated as having occurred for the purposes of this section.

• (4) The appropriate national authority may by order provide that subsection (1) does not apply in circumstances specified in the order.

• (5) The appropriate national authority may by order amend the relevant Schedule so as to—

• (a) specify additional trigger or terminating events;

• (b) amend or omit any of the trigger or terminating events for the time being specified in the Schedule.

• (6) A trigger or terminating event specified by order under subsection (5)(a) must be an event related to the development (whether past, present or future) of the land.

• (7) The transitional provision that may be included in an order under subsection (5)(a) specifying an additional trigger or terminating event includes provision for this section to apply where such an event has occurred before the order is made or before it comes into force and as to its application in such a case.

• (8) For the purposes of determining whether an application under section 15 is made within the period mentioned in section 15(3)(c), any period during which an application to register land as a town or village green may not be made by virtue of this section is to be disregarded.

• (9) In this section “the relevant Schedule” means—

• (a) Schedule 1A, in relation to land in England;

• (b) Schedule 1B, in relation to land in Wales.

Registration of greens: exclusions

Supplementary

Deregistration and exchange: applications

Deregistration and exchange: orders

Notice of inclosure

Deregistration and exchange: applications

Deregistration and exchange: orders

Consent: general

SCHEDULE 1A

Interpretation

In this Schedule—

Notes

1

For the purposes of this Schedule, all means of challenging a decision in legal proceedings in the United Kingdom are to be treated as exhausted and the decision is to be treated as upheld if, at any stage in the proceedings, the time normally allowed for the making of an appeal or further appeal or the taking of any other step to challenge the decision expires without the appeal having been made or (as the case may be) the other step having been taken.

2

Paragraph 7 of the first column of the Table does not apply in relation to a part of a development plan for the purposes of section 27 or 54 of the 1990 Act which consists of—

• (a) Part 1 of a unitary development plan or alterations to such a Part, or

• (b) a structure plan or alterations to such a plan.

15A

• (1) Where the owner of any land ... to which this Part applies deposits with the commons registration authority a statement in the prescribed form, the statement is to be regarded, for the purposes of section 15, as bringing to an end any period during which persons have indulged as of right in lawful sports and pastimes on the land to which the statement relates.

• (2) Subsection (1) does not prevent a new period commencing.

• (3) A statement under subsection (1) must be accompanied by a map in the prescribed form identifying the land to which the statement relates.

• (4) An owner of land may deposit more than one statement under subsection (1) in respect of the same land.

• (5) If more than one statement is deposited in respect of the same land, a later statement (whether or not made by the same person) may refer to the map which accompanied an earlier statement and that map is to be treated, for the purposes of this section, as also accompanying the later statement.

• (6) Where a statement is deposited under subsection (1), the commons registration authority must take the prescribed steps in relation to the statement and accompanying map and do so in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed period (if any).

• (7) Regulations may make provision—

• (a) for a statement required for the purposes of this section to be combined with a statement or declaration required for the purposes of section 31(6) of the Highways Act 1980;

• (b) for the requirement in subsection (3) to be satisfied by the statement referring to a map previously deposited under section 31(6) of the Highways Act 1980;

• (c) as to the fees payable in relation to the depositing of a statement under subsection (1) (including provision for a fee payable under the regulations to be determined by the commons registration authority);

• (d) as to when a statement under subsection (1) is to be regarded as having been deposited with the commons registration authority.

• (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (9) In this section “ prescribed ” means prescribed in regulations.

15B

• (1) Each commons registration authority must keep, in such manner as may be prescribed, a register containing prescribed information about statements deposited under section 15A(1) and the maps accompanying those statements.

• (2) The register kept under this section must be available for inspection free of charge at all reasonable hours.

• (3) A commons registration authority may discharge its duty under subsection (1) by including the prescribed information in the register kept by it under section 31A of the Highways Act 1980 (register of maps and statements deposited and declarations lodged under section 31(6) of that Act).

• (4) Regulations may make provision—

• (a) where a commons registration authority discharges its duty under subsection (1) in the way described in subsection (3), for the creation of a new part of the register kept under section 31A of the Highways Act 1980 for that purpose;

• (b) as to the circumstances in which an entry relating to a statement deposited under section 15A(1) or a map accompanying such a statement, or anything relating to the entry, is to be removed from the register kept under this section or (as the case may be) the register kept under section 31A of the Highways Act 1980.

• (5) In this section “ prescribed ” means prescribed in regulations.

Deregistration and exchange: applications

Prohibition on works without consent

Conclusiveness

Conclusiveness

Consent: general

Deregistration and exchange: orders

Power to exempt

Powers of local authorities over unclaimed land

Notice of inclosure

Prohibition on works without consent

In this Schedule—

Registration of greens: statement by owner

Supplementary

Inclosure

Schemes under the Commons Act 1899

Vehicular access

Minor and consequential amendments

In this Schedule—

3

Paragraph (a) of the entry in the second column corresponding to paragraph 7B does not apply in circumstances where development of the land may be completed by virtue of provision made in the local development order under section 61C(1) of the 1990 Act.

4

Paragraphs (b) to (d) of the entry in the second column corresponding to paragraph 7B do not apply in circumstances where development of the land may be completed by virtue of provision made in the local development order under section 61D(1) of the 1990 Act.

5

Paragraph (a) of the entry in the second column corresponding to paragraph 7D does not apply in circumstances where development of the land may be completed by virtue of provision made in the neighbourhood development order under section 61L(1) of the 1990 Act.

6

Paragraph (c) of the entry in the second column corresponding to paragraph 7D does not apply in circumstances where development of the land may be completed by virtue of section 61L(7) of the 1990 Act.

Conclusiveness

Consent: general

Supplementary

Powers of local authorities over unclaimed land

Notice of inclosure

In this Schedule—

Registration of greens: exclusions

Inclosure

Notice of inclosure

Vehicular access

Minor and consequential amendments

Repeals

In this Schedule—

SCHEDULE 1B

Interpretation

1

In this Schedule—

• “operational development” means any development within the meaning of the 1990 Act other than development which consists only of the making of a material change in the use of any buildings or other land;

• “the 1990 Act” means the Town and Country Planning Act 1990;

• “the 2008 Act” means the Planning Act 2008.

2

An event specified in the entry in the second column of the Table corresponding to paragraph 2 is not a terminating event in circumstances where the local development order permits the completion of operational development of the land which began before the occurrence of the event.

Registration of greens: statement by owner

Schemes under the Commons Act 1899

In this Schedule—