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Countryside and Rights of Way Act

Volume 696: debated on Thursday 15 November 2007

asked Her Majesty's Government:

For the smallest levels for which statistics are kept, how many applications have been made for exclusions to access land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 since the introduction of Part I of that Act in each region; how many applications were approved; how many of the approved exclusions were temporary and how many are permanent; what is the breakdown of categories of exclusions; and what is the area of land to which approved permanent and temporary exclusions in each category currently apply; and [HL2]

For the smallest levels for which statistics are kept, how many applications have been made for restrictions to access land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 since the introduction of Part I of that Act in each region; how many applications were approved; how many of the approved restrictions were temporary and how many are permanent; what is the breakdown of categories of restrictions; and what is the area of land to which approved permanent and temporary restrictions in each category currently apply. [HL3]

Natural England, which administers the restrictions and exclusions regime under Part I of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, has received 241 applications for exclusions and restrictions. Applicants do not always specify whether they are applying for an exclusion or a restriction. The regional breakdown is as follows: north-west 33, south-east 46, east Midlands 32, Yorkshire and Humber 40, south-west 63, north-east 20, east of England 2, West Midlands 5.

The applications that resulted in exclusions or restrictions are outlined below. The terms “short term” and “long term” are used rather than “temporary” and “permanent”, as all long-term exclusions and restrictions are reviewed at least once every five years.

Table detailing exclusions since the introduction of Part 1 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

Region

Approved in total

Long term

Total long term, hectares

Short term

Total short term, hectares

Total land management exclusions

Total public safety exclusions

North-west

5

1

23.6

4

247.94

4

1

South-east

10

7

53.44

3

103.15

4

6

Yorkshire and Humber

5

3

367.57

2

576.98

3

2

East of England

1

1

5.45

0

0

1

0

East Midlands

6

4

147.46

2

334.95

3

3

South-west

10

5

64.63

5

285.63

6

4

London

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

North-east

2

2

64.28

0

0

1

1

Table detailing restrictions since the introduction of Part I of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

Region

Approved in total

Long term

Total long term, hectares

Short term

Total short term, hectares

Total land management restrictions

Total public safety restrictions

North-west

2

0

0

2

302.14

1

1

South-east

3

2

20.92

1

90.73

1

2

Yorkshire and Humber

1

1

2.73

0

0

0

1

East of England

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

East Midlands

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

South-west

4

0

0

4

117.25

2

2

London

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

North-east

2

0

456.04

0

0

2

0

asked Her Majesty's Government:

For the smallest levels for which statistics are kept, how many 28-day restrictions on access have been notified under Section 22 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 since the introduction of Part I of that Act in each region. [HL4]

There have been 124 discretionary notifications in the north-west region, 584 in the north-east, 550 in Yorkshire and Humber, 73 in the east Midlands, three in the West Midlands, nine in the east of England, 239 in the south-west, 68 in the south-east and four in London.