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Sections 15A to 15C of the Commons Act 2006 (as amended) and Section 31(6) of the 1980 Highways Act provide a legal mechanism for landowners to guard against village greens or public rights of way coming into existence on their land following a period of use by the public. The mechanism is a statement by the landowner that they do not intend to dedicate their land for these purposes.

The statement doesn't remove any public rights that already exist, even if they are not recorded and the declaration needs to be reaffirmed every 20 years.

To make a statement landowners need to send a map and completed CA16 application form to d.chadwick@bury.gov.uk. There is a processing fee of £300 per site. A site should be recognisable as a discrete parcel of land.

More information

Assets Publishing Service - Commons Registration Authorities in England guidance

Register of landowner statements

Landowner statements regarding village greens and public rights of way

Register of Highway Statements and Declarations

Highway statements regarding village greens and public rights of way