A park popular with walkers could become a “village green” and gain special status.

Three Rivers District Council has made an application to register South Oxhey Playing Fields, between Watford and South Oxhey, as a village green.

If successful, the bid would grant the land protection from encroachment or works that would “interfere with the local inhabitants’ rights to use the land".

Plan outlining the application land.Plan outlining the application land. (Image: OS/Hertfordshire County Council)

To be registered it must be shown that “a significant number of inhabitants” have “indulged as of right in lawful sports and pastimes on the land for a period of at least 20 years”.

A notice and plan of the application, dated June 28, has been put up at County Hall in Hertford as members of the public are able to give their views until August 9, with the reference number VGA063.

Responses can be sent via email to rachel.knowles1@hertfordshire.gov.uk, including the respondent's name, address, interest in the land, and the grounds for their representation.

View common land and village green applications for Hertfordshire here

If there are objections to an application, it is likely that the matter will proceed to a public inquiry.

“Any representations received will not be treated as confidential and will be copied to the applicant for their comment,” the notice added.

“Representations will also be made available for inspection and where applicable will be sent to the Planning Inspectorate for a decision.”