Written question asked by Tom Levitt (Labour) on Monday, 7 December 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 December 2009. It was answered by Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour) on Monday, 14 December 2009 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Common Land: Property Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what changes he plans to propose to guidelines on town and village greens to prevent their application to land which already has planning permission for development.

Answer: DEFRA recently received the final report of research into the registration of new town or village greens: 'Study of registered town and village greens and the attitudes towards applications'. A summary of the research, together with the final report, is available on the DEFRA website.The findings of the research, as well as feedback from local authorities and others, lead me to conclude that there is sufficient evidence to justify a review of the existing system, with a view to exploring possible changes. Therefore, DEFRA plans to consult in spring 2010 on whether there is a need for reform of the registration system, and the options for reform that exist.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 502 c646W; 305743
Session: 2009-10
Related items: Common Land: Property Development
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Registration Village greens
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk