Written question asked by Michael Fallon (Conservative) on Thursday, 19 May 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 May 2011. It was answered by Lord Benyon (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 May 2011 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Commons Councils

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications for Commons Councils have been submitted since 2006; and how many such applications were approved in (a) England and (b) the south east.

Answer: There is no provision in Part 2 of the Commons Act 2006 for applications to establish a commons council, and no commons council has yet been established. However, DEFRA and Natural England are working with three candidates to establish commons councils, in relation to Bodmin Moor, Brendon Common (Exmoor) and Cumbria. There are, at present, no candidates in relation to south-east England. We expect, in response to one or more robust proposals, to set up at least one commons council in 2011-12.

Secondary information