Blaxhall Commons and Open Spaces Charitable Trust

The Blaxhall Commons and Open Spaces Charitable Trust was founded on the 10^th November 2015

The objects of the charity (‘the objects') are:

(a) to improve the conditions of life and social welfare in the village of Blaxhall;

(b) to advance the conservation protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment in Blaxhall;

(c) to preserve and protect the rights of access and use to the Blaxhall Commons and Open Spaces for all residents and visitors

by acquiring, owning, providing, improving, and maintaining land in Blaxhall, in particular any land currently registered as common land, land used as allotments, or land over which local residents or the public in general have traditionally enjoyed access, by providing such land to be used as an area of recreation or other leisure pursuits, and by promoting the biodiversity of such land for the benefit of the residents of Blaxhall and the public at large.

There are 5 Trustees; three founding Trustees who will serve terms of 2, 3 or 4 years until their post becomes due for re-appointment, and two Trustees nominated by the Blaxhall Parish Council.

To register for E-Mail updates from the Blaxhall Commons and Open Spaces Charitable Trust please complete the Registration Form.

Commons and Open Spaces

The open spaces at the heart of our village define the unique character of Blaxhall and are part of our village's historical, social and environmental heritage. Most of this land is freely accessible to the public and has been used and enjoyed by villagers as an open space for more than 500 years. Some of this land is registered as Common Land and has legal protection. But this land is becoming increasingly fragmented under private ownership and has been progressively encroached upon over the years. As a result its value as a community asset is coming under greater pressure.

The following diagram shows how the ownership of Mill Common has changed in the last 10 years with six private individuals currently owning sections of Mill Common.

The Blaxhall Commons and Open Spaces Charitable Trust represents a new vision for the management and ownership of public access land at Mill Common, Stone Common, and elsewhere in our village.

This project has the support of Blaxhall Parish Council and District Councillor Raymond Herring.

We hope that given time to understand the objectives of the charity, the background of the trustees, and the nature of the challenge facing the commons within Blaxhall you will also become a supporter.

Please browse our website to find more information about the charity, its goals, the beneficiaries of our work, and the people who help organise its activties.