Generally common land is heavily protected from development by national statutory policies. Is the land in question common land? Check with the common land registration authority. If registered as such, it is common land. Generally, access to common land is allowed the public by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW)for walking and perhaps riding horses - but earlier statutes may allow that and other kinds of access/use. Some common lands have long established user rights, eg golf courses. It seems doubtful that development would be allowed (unless it is exempt development). Sports facilities/ changing rooms (say)- despite the strong case that might be made for a local school - seem doubtful. It is a matter for 1) the owner of the common (?) land; 2) the local planning authority; 3) the secretary of state (Planning Inspectorate) (see section 38 of the Commons Act 2006) and other stakeholders - local, (eg the school) and national, (eg the Open Spaces Society). My Common Lands Handbook (Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation) examines the issues of development and other matters.
