§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in respect of Forestry Commission plantations sold since October 1991(a) those in respect of which access agreements have been concluded and (b) those in respect of which access agreements have not been concluded, indicating the reasons why access was not given in each case.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 22 January 1993]: The arrangements for securing continued public access to woodlands sold by the Forestry Commission were introduced in October 1991. The Commission has sold 18 areas of forest land since then, in addition to those sales which were too far advanced in October 1991 to be included for consideration under the new arrangements.
An access agreement has been concluded in respect of one of these areas, Steam Mills in Gloucestershire. Access agreements were not concluded for the other areas, which are listed, for the reasons given.
- Newbridge and Chirk By-pass, Clwyd
176 - Newport-Worcester Trunk Road, Gwent
- These were sales for highway improvements.
- Ifton Quarry, Gwent
- Valley Woods, West Glamorgan
These were sales which arose from the exercise of reserved powers in the title, eg a landlord's right to resume possession of a leased area.
- Blackwater Copse, Dorset
- Markshall, Suffolk
- Penyrallt (land at), West Glamorgan
These sales were to former owners under the offer-back procedures.
- Barton Manor Woods, Isle of Wight
- Fishpond, Hampshire
- Oxendean, Borders
- Oxlease, Hampshire
- Patervan, Borders
- Tall Boys, Hampshire
These areas were subject to third party rights, eg where the access to the area was over land owned by a third party who was not willing to join in an access agreement.
- Dromore, Dumfries and Galloway
- Glenscripesdale (part), Highland
These areas were sold to Scottish Natural Heritage.
- Corrieour, Tayside
177 - Mount Pleasant, Highland
The local authorities decided not to take up the offer of an access agreement for these areas.