Towns or Village Greens

The Isle of Wight Council is the Registration Authority for the purposes of the Commons Registration Act 1965 and the Commons Act 2006. As Registration Authority, the Council is responsible for compiling and maintaining the Registers of Common Land and Town or Villages Greens and for any amendments to the Registers.

Village greens have their origins in the manorial system introduced after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Most village greens may at one time have formed part of open uncultivated and unoccupied land belonging to a manor or estate. Use of the land for sports and pastimes by local inhabitants was tolerated by the lord of the manor and over many years the local people could claim rights to use the land for recreation.

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