Public land
In the UK public land is essentially land which is owned by the Government, or belong to part of the central government estate, which may include land of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Department for Transport (DfT), the Ministry of Housing (formerly the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities), Homes England, the Department of Health, Social Care or the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) or the Forestry Commission.
Public land is not the same as public access land, publically accessible land or common land, though some public land is for public access, for example some forests are publicly owned forests, managed by the Forestry Commission, which is a non-ministerial government department and are available to the public for recreation. On the other side of the spectrum some public land is run by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and in most cases is most definately not publically accessible.
The term common land is also sometimes used to refer to land in public ownership or to which everyone has access but this is incorrect. Land must be legally registered as a common to have such status. It is a popular misconception is that any person has a right to enter common land. Although this is usually the case, it is not automatically so, though there is a public right of access to nearly all common land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The laws as applied to common land are often the same as for any other piece of private land, other than for certain people who possess commoners’ rights. This is a complex and very locally-variable part of the law, and local advice should be sought about the exact status of the land and its users before using what might be common land.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992.
- Brownfield land.
- Brownfield registers.
- Common area.
- Common land.
- Commons Act 2006.
- Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
- Green belt.
- Land law.
- Land register.
- Land value.
- Park.
- Planning condition.
- Property rights.
- Public Land Taskforce.
- Right of way.
- Right to access land.
- Ty unnos.
- Types of land.
- Village green registration.
Featured articles and news
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Many resources for visitors aswell as new features for members.
Using technology to empower communities
The Community data platform; capturing the DNA of a place and fostering participation, for better design.
Heat pump and wind turbine sound calculations for PDRs
MCS publish updated sound calculation standards for permitted development installations.
Homes England creates largest housing-led site in the North
Successful, 34 hectare land acquisition with the residential allocation now completed.
Scottish apprenticeship training proposals
General support although better accountability and transparency is sought.
The history of building regulations
A story of belated action in response to crisis.
Moisture, fire safety and emerging trends in living walls
How wet is your wall?
Current policy explained and newly published consultation by the UK and Welsh Governments.
British architecture 1919–39. Book review.
Conservation of listed prefabs in Moseley.
Energy industry calls for urgent reform.
Heritage staff wellbeing at work survey.
A five minute introduction.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson apprentice award
Showcasing the very best electrotechnical and engineering services for half a century.
Welsh government consults on HRBs and reg changes
Seeking feedback on a new regulatory regime and a broad range of issues.
CIOB Client Guide (2nd edition) March 2025
Free download covering statutory dutyholder roles under the Building Safety Act and much more.