Walkers can turn map sleuths to uncover unregistered commons

Outdoor sleuths will have a chance to add to England’s access land – with help from the country’s oldest national conservation body.

The Open Spaces Society is launching a drive to reclaim commons that may have been missed off registers following the Government’s decision to reopen registers in seven pilot areas. The society says this is an opportunity to get land registered, and has compiled a guide to help walkers and outdoors lovers to spot eligible land.

The factsheet will be available from the society in the New Year.

Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the OSS, said: “Lots of commons were missed for a variety of reasons, when they ought to be safe from development and available for the public to walk under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

“There are a number of categories of land which may be eligible, but we are currently focusing on land which is ‘waste land of the manor’ as this is likely to produce the greatest opportunity.

“To claim such land, you will need to prove that it is waste land of the manor – it must be open and unenclosed and unoccupied, and must meet a number of criteria.

“You will need to study the commons registers to see which land was left off, and to carry out research to prove its status, but it’s well worth doing.

“Our DIY-guide sets out the steps you should take to win back the commons.

“We have only until 31 December 2020 to do this, so we need to start now.”

The pilot areas are: the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Hertfordshire, Kent and Lancashire; the borough of Blackburn and Darwen; and the district of Herefordshire.

The guide, New Opportunity to Rescue Lost Commons, is available by emailing hq@oss.org.uk or by phoning the Open Spaces Society on 01491 573535 after 5 January.