Did you know there are 3,650 village greens in England, that come in all shapes and sizes?

Are you aware that Local Councils have an important role in protecting and managing greens, and have an opportunity to register new ones?

Village greens are a topical subject, with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) consulting on the law and procedure for registering land as a green, and the draft National Planning Policy Framework’s reference to green spaces. 

Following on from the recent successful training course on common land, the Buckinghamshire Association of Local Councils are pleased to offer both Clerks and Councillors this practical course that may also meet your CPD requirements.

The course, kindly being hosted by Chalfont St Peter Parish Council will provide:

• An introduction to village greens and why they are important
• Relevant legislation
• The role of parish councils in relation to village greens, what can and can’t be done to protect and manage them, voluntary registration
• How to register land as a new green using the evidence process, the steps to be followed and the potential pitfalls to watch out for
• Defra’s consultation on the law and procedures for registering land as new greens, and what it might mean for parish councils, together with the draft National Planning Policy Framework’s reference to green spaces
• Exchange of ideas good practice