Notice of proposed deregistration of common land at CL1 Leigh Common

Section 16 of the Commons Act 2006

Proposed deregistration of common land at: CL1. Leigh Common

Dorset Council has applied to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for consent under section16 of the Commons Act 2006 for land forming part of the above-mentioned registered common land (the “release land”) to cease to be so registered.

The Planning Inspectorate will decide the application on behalf of the Secretary of State. The purpose of the application is to enable proposed works comprising separate cycleways and footways adjacent to Leigh Road on 5,259 square metres of common land, including a new crossing point of Leigh Road opposite Bytheway Field.

Changes to junctions will mean 397 square metres of common land will be changed from asphalt carriageway and returned to natural verge on the northern side of the road near Northleigh Lane. Presently no footway exists on the south side of Leigh Road for a distance of 400 metres, and no provision exists at all for people cycling on road.

There is no dedicated crossing point on Leigh Road between Brook Road and Hayes Lane. The construction of this route will thereby enhance the safety for road users and improve access to residents and visitors in the area. It is proposed that land (the “replacement land”) be registered as common land in place of the release land. The release land is described in the First Schedule to this notice, and the replacement land is described in the second Schedule.

Due to Government advice in respect of COVID-19, a copy of the application form and accompanying documents will not be placed in a public area for viewing. However a copy is available to view, along with further details on the sustainable travel scheme.

View the application form

If you would like a paper copy please request this by emailing: christopher.peck@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk. 
Or by writing to:

Christopher Peck,
Transport Planning,
Dorset Council,
Colliton Park,
Dorchester, Dorset
DT1 1XJ

The application form and documents will be available until 10 January 2021. 

Representations to the Planning Inspectorate

Any representations should be sent on or before the 10 January to this email: commonlandcasework@planninginspectorate.gov.uk or by writing to this address:

The Planning Inspectorate,
Commons Team
3A Temple Quay House,
Temple Quay,
Bristol, BS1 6PN

Letters sent to the Planning Inspectorate cannot be treated as confidential. They will be copied to the applicant and possibly to other interested parties. For information about how The Planning Inspectorate processes personal information please see the Common Land Privacy Policy.

First schedule

The “release land”

Three parcels of land are proposed to be deregistered as common land:

1. The verge and existing footway up to 4 metres south of the existing carriageway from 158 Leigh Road eastwards to Park Farm Cottage, incorporating changes proposed by the developers of the junctions south of Leigh Road (4,260m2)
2. On the northern side of Leigh Road a strip 1-2 metres in width between 203 Leigh Road and the junction with Northleigh Lane (171m2)
3. On the northern side of Leigh Road between the junction of Northleigh Lane and Bytheway (828m2)

In total, the release land comprises 5,259m2.

Second schedule

The "replacement land"

In replacement for the above land, an area of Bytheway Field contiguous to the eastern edge of the wooded area of Leigh Common will be dedicated as replacement common land. This area of replacement land comprises 5,990 m2.