Ownership and Management

The Parish Council owns and manages Staplefield Common and Staplefield Upper Common. 

Early Management and Lease of Staplefield Common

Over the years, there has been some confusion regarding the management of Staplefield Common and other commons in the area. On 10th March 1906, various parcels of land making up Staplefield Common were leased by Cuckfield Rural District Council from Charles Warden Sergison. This lease was for a substantial term of 1,000 years, commencing from 25th December 1905.

The purpose of this lease was to enable Cuckfield Rural District Council to establish a statutory scheme of management under the Commons Act 1899. This scheme was designed to regulate the use and enjoyment of Staplefield Common by the inhabitants of the district and the surrounding neighbourhood, ensuring that the Common could be managed for the benefit of the local community.

Transition of Management and Ownership: 1974

On 1st April 1974, Cuckfield Rural District Council was dissolved as part of a wider reorganisation of local government. Following this change, the land included in the lease for Staplefield Common was officially transferred to the newly formed Mid Sussex District Council. At the same time, responsibility for managing Staplefield Common under the statutory scheme also passed to Mid Sussex District Council, ensuring continuity in the oversight and maintenance of the Common for the benefit of the local community.

Transfer of Ownership and Management: 1988–1989

On 5th May 1988, the District Council executed a Deed of Enlargement under Section 153 of the Law of Property Act 1925. This act converted the existing lease of Staplefield Common into a freehold estate. Subsequently, on 27th February 1989, the District Council transferred the freehold ownership of Staplefield Common to Cuckfield Rural Parish Council. At the same time, the District Council vested the management of the Common, in accordance with the scheme of management, in Cuckfield Rural Parish Council.

Today, both the ownership of Staplefield Common and the powers of management under the statutory scheme are vested in Ansty and Staplefield Parish Council (previously known as Cuckfield Rural Parish Council).

Timeline

1906 indenture passes main common from Captain Sergison to Cuckfield Rural District Council.

1906 a scheme for the control of both main and upper commons was approved by the Local Government Board and the Cuckfield Rural District Council.

1907 Bye-Laws for the control of both commons were made by Cuckfield Rural District Council and approved by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries under the provisions of the Commons Act 1899. Power for carrying out the byelaws is delegated to Cuckfield Rural Parish Council.

1948 Byelaws covering both commons created by Cuckfield Rural District Council also approved under the provisions of the Commons Act 1899.  Powers delegated to Cuckfield Rural Parish Council.

1974 Mid Sussex District Council was created from an amalgamation of Cuckfield Rural District Council and some others.

1989 MSDC transfers ownership to Cuckfield Rural Parish Council. The document title refers to both the main common and the upper common, but then refers to the land as that described in the indenture.  The indenture map shows only the main common.

Ansty & Staplefield Parish Council are the managers for the Upper Common.