Conservators
Encyclopedia
In certain areas of the England
, Conservators are statutory bodies which manage areas of countryside for the use of the public.
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The exact role and powers of each group of Conservators are defined by their establishing Act and vary, but in general terms their role is to:
Conservators often have the power to manage the land, and the trees, plants and animals on it, to provide recreation facilities, to control activity within their area, regulate navigation on waterways and to make byelaws
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provided for the establishment of Commons Councils to manage common land. Those provisions of the Act are not yet in force, but the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) plans to bring them into force in the spring of 2009. The Commons Councils established under the Act will have a similar role to that of existing Conservators. According to DEFRA's website, Commons Councils will only be established where there is a local wish and will not be imposed. Where a Commons Council is established, the Act provides powers for DEFRA to alter or remove existing management arrangements (which could include Conservators) where they might conflict with the functions granted to a new Commons Council.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Conservators are statutory bodies which manage areas of countryside for the use of the public.
Establishment, Role and Powers
Conservators are bodies corporate generally established, and granted their powers, by a Scheme made under the Commons Act 1876 or by a local Act of ParliamentLocal and Personal Acts of Parliament in the United Kingdom
Local and Personal Acts of Parliament are laws in the United Kingdom which apply to a particular individual or group of individuals, or corporate entity. This contrasts with a Public General Act of Parliament which applies to the entire community...
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The exact role and powers of each group of Conservators are defined by their establishing Act and vary, but in general terms their role is to:
- regulate and manage their area for public recreation,
- protect the rights of commonersCommon landCommon land is land owned collectively or by one person, but over which other people have certain traditional rights, such as to allow their livestock to graze upon it, to collect firewood, or to cut turf for fuel...
(if applicable) and - conserve the natural beauty of their area.
Conservators often have the power to manage the land, and the trees, plants and animals on it, to provide recreation facilities, to control activity within their area, regulate navigation on waterways and to make byelaws
Byelaws in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, byelaws are laws of local or limited application made by local councils or other bodies, using powers granted by an Act of Parliament, and so are a form of delegated legislation...
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Membership
Membership of Boards of Conservators varies according to the terms of the individual legislation that established them. Examples of types of member include those:- elected by commoners or local residents
- appointed by local councils
- appointed by Universities
- appointed by the Lord of the ManorLord of the ManorThe Lordship of a Manor is recognised today in England and Wales as a form of property and one of three elements of a manor that may exist separately or be combined and may be held in moieties...
Future
The Commons Act 2006Commons Act 2006
The Commons Act 2006 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It implements recommendations contained in the Common Land Policy Statement 2002.-Section 56 - Commencment:The following orders have been made under this section:...
provided for the establishment of Commons Councils to manage common land. Those provisions of the Act are not yet in force, but the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) plans to bring them into force in the spring of 2009. The Commons Councils established under the Act will have a similar role to that of existing Conservators. According to DEFRA's website, Commons Councils will only be established where there is a local wish and will not be imposed. Where a Commons Council is established, the Act provides powers for DEFRA to alter or remove existing management arrangements (which could include Conservators) where they might conflict with the functions granted to a new Commons Council.
Examples of Conservators
- Conservators of Ashdown ForestAshdown ForestAshdown Forest is an ancient area of tranquil open heathland occupying the highest sandy ridge-top of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is situated some south of London in the county of East Sussex, England...
- Malvern Hills ConservatorsMalvern Hills ConservatorsThe Malvern Hills Conservators are a body corporate responsible for the care and management of the Malvern Hills and Commons. They were established in 1884 and are governed by five Acts of Parliament, the Malvern Hills Acts 1884, 1909, 1924, 1930 and 1995. They became a registered charity in...
- Conservators of the River CamConservators of the River CamThe Conservators of the River Cam are the navigation authority for the River Cam in Cambridgeshire and were founded in 1702.-History:Cambridge had been a major inland port as a result of its position on the navigable River Cam for centuries, but this position changed with the draining of the Fens...
- Banstead CommonsBanstead DownsBanstead Downs is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Surrey, England . It covers . To the west is the A217 and to east is the B2218. The town to the north is Sutton; whilst Banstead lies to the south...
Conservators - Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators
- Tumbridge WellsRoyal Tunbridge WellsRoyal Tunbridge Wells is a town in west Kent, England, about south-east of central London by road, by rail. The town is close to the border of the county of East Sussex...
Commons Conservators - Mitcham CommonMitcham CommonMitcham Common or Seven Islands is 182 hectares of common land situated in South London. It is predominantly in the London borough of Merton, with parts straddling the borders with Sutton and Croydon.- History :...
Conservators - Shenfield Common Conservators
- Epsom and Walton DownsEpsom DownsEpsom Downs is an area of chalk upland near Epsom, Surrey; in the North Downs. Part of the area is taken up by the racecourse, the gallops are part of the land purchased by Stanly Wootton in 1925 in oder that racehorses can be trained without interference. It is open to users such as ramblers,...
Conservators - Mousehold HeathMousehold HeathMousehold Heath is an area of heathland and woodland which lies in north east Norwich, England and a designated Local Nature Reserve . It is now mostly covered by broad-leaf semi-natural woodland, although some areas of heath remain and are actively managed....
Conservators - Conservators of Therfield HeathTherfield HeathTherfield Heath is a public open space and nature reserve on the chalk escarpment just north of Therfield, Hertfordshire; since it lies south-west of the town of Royston it is also known locally as Royston Heath. It has a testing racetrack for horses on its slopes and is a popular spot with dog...
and Greens - Oxshott HeathOxshott HeathOxshott Heath and Woods is an area of woods and heathland in Oxshott, Surrey, England covering approximately 200 acres and having an interesting geology where the London Clay stratum meets the overlying sand stratum and emerges to the surface. This has created a sand escarpment, from which views to...
Conservators - ChislehurstChislehurstChislehurst is a suburban district in south-east London, England, and an electoral ward of the London Borough of Bromley. It is south-east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
and St Paul's CraySt Paul's CraySt Paul's Cray lies on the River Cray and is part of the London Borough of Bromley. St Paul's Cray was once a separate village, but like its sister St Mary Cray has been incorporated in to Orpington...
Commons Conservators - The Common Council of the City of London is the Conservator of Epping ForestEpping ForestEpping Forest is an area of ancient woodland in south-east England, straddling the border between north-east Greater London and Essex. It is a former royal forest, and is managed by the City of London Corporation....
- Cleeve Common Board of Conservators
Similar bodies
- DartmoorDartmoorDartmoor is an area of moorland in south Devon, England. Protected by National Park status, it covers .The granite upland dates from the Carboniferous period of geological history. The moorland is capped with many exposed granite hilltops known as tors, providing habitats for Dartmoor wildlife. The...
Commoners' Council - Greenham and Crookham Commons Commissioners