Advising on the Development of Open Spaces - Key Considerations

Introduction

Proposals to develop open land frequently lead to claims relating to public rights of way, applications for Town or Village Green status, and nominations of land as Assets of Community Value under the Localism Act. In addition, when local authorities dispose of or appropriate open space, they must comply with strict statutory procedures.

This webinar explores the key issues faced by landowners, developers, and local authorities when seeking to develop land that may have been used by the public. It offers practical guidance on responding to such claims and on taking proactive steps to reduce the likelihood of them arising in the first place.

What You Will Learn

This webinar will cover the following:

• Claimed Public Rights:
• Registration as a Town or Village Green under Commons Act 2006 including the tests for registration and case law on statutory incompatibility and trigger events
• Claimed public rights of way across potential development land
• Assets of community value under the Localism Act 2011
• Objections to disposal or appropriation of publicly owned space under the Local Government Act 1972 including the importance of process
• Responses:
• Landowner statements under Highways Act 1980 s.31 (6) and Commons Act 2006
• Signage
• Extinguishment and diversion of rights of way
• Other practical steps

This pre-recorded webinar will be available to view from Monday 29th June 2026

Alternatively, you can gain access to this webinar and 2,300+ others via the MBL Webinar Subscription. Please email webinarsubscription@mblseminars.com for more details.