The Open Spaces Society is urging local councils to voluntarily register their open spaces as town or village greens in order to protect them from development and give local people rights of recreation there.

The society explains that it is more important now than ever to secure our green spaces. It says that after a year where people have discovered just how essential their local open spaces are for health and sanity, these spaces are under unprecedented threat.

The Open Spaces Society pulls no punches in its criticism of the current Government’s proposed revision of planning regulations.

A spokesperson said: “The Westminster government is intent on destroying the planning system, and green spaces are in the firing line for development.

“Landowning local councils can set an example to others, and provide a gift for their communities, by registering their land as greens.”

There is a guide to voluntary registration on the society’s website and there is no charge for applications, which are made to county or unitary councils’ commons registration departments under section 15(8) of the Commons Act 2006.

Case officer Nicola Hodgson said: “This is the moment for local councils to set an example and voluntarily register their land as town or village greens. In the face of enormous threats to our precious open spaces this is the best way of ensuring that they can be enjoyed for ever by local people.”