THE Open Spaces Society is calling on local authorities and developers throughout England and Wales to make 2017 the “Year of the Village Green,” by voluntary registering their land as greens.

Britain’s oldest national conservation body, is urging developers to include registered village greens within their sites so local people have a guaranteed green space for recreation, preserving them forever.

It also urges local authorities to register their own land so that even if it is sold, it is protected.

Kate Ashbrook, the society’s general secretary, said: “The registration process is simple – the only requirements are to provide proof of ownership, obtain the consent of any leaseholder or chargeholder, complete a form and send it to the commons registration authority” - the county council in most cases.

“Once the land is registered as a town or village green, it is protected by 19th century laws from development or encroachment, and local people have rights of informal recreation there.

“So if a planning authority considers that a developer should offer a mitigating benefit to the neighbourhood, it can insist the developer registers part of its site as a village green.

“That provides a real boon to local people.”

She added: “Local authorities can dedicate their land as a green to ensure it remains open and available for public enjoyment, regardless of who owns it in future.

“This is especially important in these times of austerity, when authorities are looking to flog off their land and the public is likely to lose out.

“Parish and community councils can also dedicate their land as green as, of course, can private landowners. This is a great way to secure green space for everyone to enjoy.”

But the society has had few examples of voluntary registrations.

In 2015, Kent County Council registered the Old Putting Green at Montefiore Avenue, Ramsgate, as a green following an application from the landowner, Thanet District Council.

Another example was in 2011, when Lancashire County Council registered Barnoldswick town green after landowner Pendle Borough Council applied.

But Ms Ashbrook added: “There should be many more. We say that 2017 should be the Year of the Green, when local authorities and developers dedicate new greens for public enjoyment and give the public secure rights of recreation.”

The society has written to the chief executives of the Local Government Association reminding councils of the opportunity to register land as greens, and to persuade planning authorities to require developers to do so.