Sherfield Contents

Friends of the Village Green

Registration of Sherfield Green

A Common or a Village Green?
Sherfield Green is registered as a Village Green under the Commons Act 1965. As it was initially registered as both a Common and a Village Green, the Chief Commons Comissioner had to decide which was the appropriate registration. His decision, on 1st April 1976, refused the application for Sherfield Green to be registered as a Common, and accepted that it be registered as a Village Greeen

The Registration Entry for Sherfield Green VG131
Sherfield Green was registered with the reference VG131.

The Registration Entry for Sherfield Green VG204
Subsequently, there was a very small addition, VG204, a pond which had been part of Court Farm where the cricket pavilion is now located.
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The Scheme of Regulation
(and Byelaws)
Work on the Village Green is subject to the Scheme of Regulation for Sherfield Green (Commons Act 1899). This legal agreement, between the Owner of the Green, the Department of the Environment (now DEFRA) and Basingstoke District Council (now Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council), |dated February 1971, makes the Borough Council responsible for managing the Green. In 1978 the Borough Council delegated this responsibility to Sherfield-on-Loddon Parish Council. The Scheme requires the Parish Council to seek Consent from both the Land Owner and DEFRA, for the erection of buildings, and fences, and for other work which could change the character of the Green. Applications for Consent have to be sought under the provisions the Commons Act 2006, section 38. The Byelaws for Sherfield Green were agreed by the District Council and the Departent of the Environment in 1978.
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From the Planning Inspectorate
Since responsibility for managing Sherfield Green is delegated to the Parish Council, it is for the Parish Council to ensure that all work on the Green complies with the Scheme of Regulation, including work which it executes. Should it indertake work which does not comply, then it is for individuals to take enforcement action through the courts, as DEFRA does not have an enforcement role. From 2016 until 2024 the Parish Council ignored the Scheme, this letter confirms that the Parish Council is required to abide by the Scheme.
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A Guide to Section 38, Commons Act 2006
Based on Guidance Notes issued by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of DEFRA.
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Commons: Building, fences and other work on common land
A very accessible guide published by the Open Spaces Society; so clear and helpful it should be a source of information of first resort. As a member of the OSS, the Parish Council will be well aware of the excellence of the website, documents and advice which OSS provides in response to direct enquiries. For the purposes of this and other documents, Village Greens are treated the same as Commons.
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A Common Purpose

A comprehensive guide to community engagement for those contemplating work on Common Land. It sets out in detail the good practice which the Parish Council should follow when proposing work such as the erection and replacement of buildings and fences, the planting of hedges, and changing the character of areas of the green.
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The Seven Principles of Public Life (the Nolan Principles)

These principles apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder, including all those elected or appointed to public office, nationally and locally, including parish councillors and parish clerks.
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Conversations on the Village Green
Compiled largely during the Covid Epidemic, 2021
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Sherfield on Loddon Conservation Area Appraisal 2004

Sherfield on Loddon Conservation Area Map 2000

Sherfield on Loddon Neighbourhood Development Plan 2011-2029
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