Applications for town and village green status will be rejected if a planning application for the land has been publicised.

Kirklees Cabinet members heard an update about the government-led changes.

The council, as the Commons Registration Authority, can register land as a town or village green if residents can demonstrate they have used it for sport or pastimes for at least 20 years.

But the government recognises that it has been “inconvenient” for developers as a town or village green status bid will often stall development.

From April bids will be suspended if the planning process is underway.

Clr Peter McBride, Kirklees Cabinet member for Place, said: “This is stopping the practice so that applications should be made prior to the allocation of land.”

Suspensions will also come into force if a development plan or neighbourhood plan has been published in draft form or adopted and identifies the land for potential development.

The suspension continues until the threat of development is lifted, usually if a planning application and any appeals are rejected or permissions expire.

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