§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many successful applications were made under the countryside stewardship scheme in(a) 1991 and (b) 1992; what was the cost of such schemes for each year; how many schemes involved additional payments for public access; what was the total amount paid in additional access payments; and what was the amount of land for which access has been paid.
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 15 March 1993]: The table provides the information requested in relation to agreements secured with land managers under countryside stewardship as a result of applications to the scheme in 1991. Figures for 1992 are based on agreement offers made—final figures for agreements secured are not yet available.
Countryside stewardship 1991 1992 Successful applications which resulted in agreements or agreement offers 900 1,384 The cost of agreements secured or offered1 £3,250,000 £6,900,000 Number of agreements secured or offered in each year involving additional payments for public access 300 350 Amount paid for additional access1 2 £350,000 £625,000 Amount of land to which access payments apply1 2 7,000 (hectares) 12,474 (hectares) 1Figures shown for 1992 under these categories are based on the cumulative total for agreements secured as a result of applications made in 1991 and agreement offers made as a result of applications in 1992. Payments in respect of 1992 agreements are estimated only and most will not fall due until September 1993. 2In 1992 an additional access option was introduced to offer payments for the creation of linear routes. Figures are not included in the table, but it is estimated that 1992 agreements will lead to the creation of about 163 km of new linear access.