Our commons

Common land is protected open space that provides important habitats for wildlife and opportunities for people to enjoy the countryside.

Commons we manage

We manage 12 commons in South Gloucestershire.

Our commons are:

• Bridgeyate Common
• Mangotsfield Common
• Siston Common
• Windsor Place Common
• Yate Common

Yate Common (also known as Westerleigh Common) is one of the largest open spaces we own and manage. Covering 54 hectares, most of the site is registered common land with public access. It is also designated as a Queen Elizabeth II Field, helping to protect it as an open space for people and wildlife.

The following commons are privately owned but managed by us:

• Assley, Hareley, Hawkesbury and Inglestone Commons
• Goose Green and Webbs Heath Commons
• Lyde Green Common

If you notice an issue with these commons, you can report a problem with a public open space to us.

Other areas of common land are managed by parish councils, wildlife trusts and private landowners.

The map below shows the commons we manage.

Why common land is important

Common land provides important habitats for wildlife and open spaces for people to enjoy.

Many commons in South Gloucestershire support species-rich grasslands, ponds, wetlands and scrub habitats. These provide homes for birds, amphibians, insects and plants that are increasingly rare in the wider countryside.

Several are designated as Sites of Nature Conservation Interest, and some are protected as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

Common land also has historic and cultural value. The rights associated with common land often go back hundreds of years and continue to play an important role in how these landscapes are managed today.

Access on common land

Most common land is open to the public. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 gives people the right to access most common land on foot.

Some commons may have additional access rights set out in local legislation.

When visiting common land, you should:

• avoid disturbing or damaging wildlife
• not light fires or use barbecues
• not camp
• not drive on common land without permission

There is not normally a public right of access for horse riders and cyclists unless they are using a byway or bridleway.

Management and use of commons

Management

We manage commons to balance wildlife conservation, public access and the rights of commoners.

Management activities may include grazing, grassland and pond management, scrub control and maintaining infrastructure such as gates, cattle grids and water supplies.

Some of our commons are used by local farmers to produce hay and bedding for livestock. 

Grazing

Livestock grazing helps maintain healthy grassland habitats and supports wildlife. Grazing may take place at different times of year depending on local conditions, wildlife requirements and animal health regulations.

Find out about the conservation grazing on Siston Common, as part of the Common Connections project. More information is also available in the downloads section of this page. (CHECK Any other commons where we have grazing? Assley, Hareley, Hawkesbury and Inglestone Commons)

Dogs

It is important that if you walk your dog on the commons, you pick up and remove your dog poo as it can kill livestock.

Dogs must be kept on a short lead between the 1 March and 31 July.

Vehicles on common land

Parking and vehicle access

Some households will access their property by a driveway across the common. 

Unless stated in your deeds, driveways remain in the ownership of the owner of the common. You should not make any changes to them without consulting us first. 

No new access across the commons can be created without landowner permission. 

The user of the driveway remains responsible for its upkeep unless agreed otherwise with the landowner.

We do not grant permission for residents to park on driveways or the grassed common bordering any properties.  You must park on the road or within your property boundary. 

Usage patterns in the past do not grant you a right to use the common for parking of vehicles.

Illegal off road motorcycling

If someone is illegally using a motor vehicle on a common you can:

• call 101 and report the incident to the police providing as much detail as possible
• raise issues at a community meeting
• report anti-social driving to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

You can read our illegal off road motorcycling advice for more information.

Protection and registers

Protection of common land

Common land is legally protected by the The Commons Act 2006. This helps protect common land from development without consent.

It also protects unrestricted access across common land by prohibiting fencing and other obstructions without consent.

Commons register

As the Commons Registration Authority for South Gloucestershire, we maintain the register of common land.

The register provides information about:

• the land and its boundaries
• any registered rights over the land and who holds them
• ownership information

For more information about the register, including how to view it, visit our common land and village green register page.

Byelaws and schemes of management

Byelaws and schemes of management set out how individual commons are managed and protected.

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Contact us

If you have a question or would like more information about commons management, email commons@southglos.gov.uk.

ADD right to roam in related links.