Shalford Common Consultation

Frequently asked questions

Can I request a paper form? 

Yes, but the best way to respond to this consultation is by using the online form.  If you are unable to do so, please follow the steps below:

1. Email: shalfordconsultation@smsr.co.uk or call 01483 939777 and leave a message, including your name and address.

2. SMSR will send you a paper copy and a pre-paid returns envelope.

3. Fill in the survey, pop it in the returns envelope and into the post. SMSR will do the rest.

What is common land?

Registered Commons are land areas that are legally registered as Common Land in the Commons Register. Not every area that is call a 'Commin' is registered common land. 

An area of registered common land does not mean that it is in common ownership or that the public owns it. 

What is an easement? 

An easement is a right to use another person's land for a stated purpose. It gives permission to access the Common Land with a vehicle, in order to drive to a property off the Common Land. It does not give the right to park on the easement land. The cost of granting an easement depends on the value that is added to the property and legal fees. 

Why are only six areas of the Common mentioned?

We have chosen target areas where there have been ongoing encroachment problems for a number of years. 

The areas chosen are being looked at to:

  • resolve complaints
  • where work may be needed for safety reasons, for example, access for emergency services.

I thought that a drop-in session was planned for residents to discuss the proposals 

Due to uncertainty and the changing Covid-19 restrictions, we will not be holding a drop-in session. 

Will this consultation cover traffic management around Shalford and parking in the car parks and on the roads? 

No, this consultation covers the management of the Common Land as public green space for recreation. 

On-street parking (including residents' parking permits) and traffic management on the public Highway are separate matters. 

What does introducing parking controls at the recycling car park mean? 

We are consulting as to whether residents would like to see controls in the car park that regulate car parking. If introducing controls is supported in the consultation, we will develop further proposals. 'Controls' could include, for emaple, time-restrictions or parking charges. Please give your comments in the comments box in the relevant section of the survey. 

What does third party consent mean? 

We do not have the authority to carry out certain changes to the common land without consent from the Secretary of State. Putting in parking controls, removing common land, adding common land and adding highway are all changes that need consent. We can only do this after the consultation has decided what management options are supported in Shalford.