Common Land
The Solution to All Your Property Searches
Common Land, Village Green, and Town Searches
Common land, town, and village green searches are imperative as the public may be able to access what you believe is your land. To discuss our common land and town searches in more detail, please contact our professionals who will be more than happy to assist.
Common Land, Town, and Village Green
It is important to conduct a Common Land, Town, and Village Green Search as the public may have the right to use your land for activities including walking, running, watching wildlife, and climbing.
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Town and Village Greens
You can use town and village greens for the following purposes:
- Sports and Recreation
- Playing Football
- Walking Your Dog
Some also have ‘rights of common’ over them (see below).
Commoners’ Rights
The right of a commoner to take resources from the common land is called a ‘right of common’. Some common land has different rights, so may be used for other activities.
Pasturage – the Right to Put Livestock out to Feed on the Land, e.g., Grass or Other Vegetation
Pannage – the Right to Put Pigs out to Feed in Wooded Areas of the Land
Timber – the Right to Take Specific Timber Products from the Land, e.g., Whole Trees or Firewood
Turbary – the Right to Take Turf or Peat from the Land to Burn as Fuel
Piscary – the Right to Take Fish from Ponds, Lakes, Rivers, and Streams
Rights in the Soil – the Right to Take Soil or Minerals from the Common
Animals – the Right to Take Wild Animals
Commoners can only take enough turf, peat, fish, soil, or minerals for the property to which their right of common is attached.
You have to follow different rules for selling or letting rights of common depending on whether the rights are attached to the land, or not attached to the land.