HC Deb 22 January 1998 vol 304 cc672-4W
Mr. Lepper

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the number and location of Countryside Stewardship Scheme public access sites in (a) the Brighton, Pavilion constituency and (b) East and West Sussex; what steps have been taken to inform the public of access to Countryside Stewardship Scheme access sites; and what sums his Department has (i) spent to date and (ii) contracted to spend in respect of payments for public access to these sites. [23936]

Mr. Morley

There are no Countryside Stewardship Scheme public access sites in the Brighton, Pavilion constituency.

There are 25 public access sites in East Sussex and 16 in West Sussex. Their locations are as follows:

East Sussex

  1. 1. Hole Farm, nr Herstmonceux
  2. 2. Forge Farms, nr Burwash Weald
  3. 3. Rocks Farm, nr Brede
  4. 4. Hempstead Farm, nr Hailsham
  5. 5. France Bottom, nr Alfriston, Willingdon levels, Folkington Hill
  6. 6. Hewenstreet Circuit, nr South Chailey
  7. 7. Wagmary Wood, nr Brede Broad Oak
  8. 8. Great Danegate Farm, nr Rotherfield
  9. 9. Pebsham Farm, nr Bexhill
  10. 10. Court Lodge Farm, nr Wartling
  11. 11. Lewes Brooks, nr Lewes
  12. 12. Highfields Circuit, nr Mayfield
  13. 13 Barelands, nr Wadhurst
  14. 14. Brightling Park, nr Brightling
  15. 15. Chilly Brooks, nr Lewes
  16. 16. Scrag Oak Farm, Nr Icklesham
  17. 17. Eridge Old Park, nr Frant
  18. 18. Foxhunt Park Farm, nr East Hoathly
  19. 19. Sunninglye Farm, nr Bells Yew Green
  20. 20. Ouse Banks, nr Uckfield
  21. 21. Pippins Farm, Pembury
  22. 22. Little Buds, Hastings
  23. 23. Lunsfold Farm, Hastings
  24. 24. Northease Farm, nr Lewes
  25. 25. Hale Court, Hartfield.

West Sussex

  1. 1. Wiggonholt Common, nr Wiggonholt
  2. 2. Kings. Barn Farm/Foxhall Farm, nr Steyning
  3. 3. Daylands Farm, nr Ashington
  4. 4. Pulborough Brooks, nr Pulborough
  5. 5. Quell Farm, nr Coldwaltham
  6. 6. Glebe Farm, nr Coldwaltham
  7. 7. Stonehill, nr East Grinstead
  8. 8. Church Farm South, nr Shipley Meadows
  9. 9. Chanctonbury Ring, Findon Park Farm, nr Washington
  10. 10. Sutton Common Lords Piece, nr Petworth
  11. 11. West Grinstead Downs Link, nr Cowfold
  12. 12. Frylands Farm, nr Wineham
  13. 13. Lower Fittleworth Meadows, nr Fittleworth
  14. 14. Apuldram Manor Farm, nr Chichester
  15. 15. Imberhorne Farm, nr East Grinstead.

The list includes sites on which grant is already being paid and new sites entered into the scheme in 1997 on which grant has yet to be paid.

The sums spent on these sites to date is:

  • East Sussex: £76,827
  • West Sussex: £82,163.

The sums contracted to be spent are:

  • East Sussex: £217,840
  • West Sussex: £198,687.

The figures for contracted expenditure include the total ten-year cost for each access agreement, i.e. the sums spent to date plus the value of payments scheduled for payment during the remaining years of the agreements.

The Department informs the public of access to Countryside Stewardship scheme access sites by actively promoting the location of the site, how to find it and features of interest. The details, which include a map of the site, are published annually in the Department's Conservation Walks register. This is sent to all interested national organisations such as the Rambler's Association and local Tourist Information offices, Councils and Libraries. It is also available on the Internet. Registers, which are available on a county basis, are regularly updated and copies can be requested from the Department's offices. Details of sites have also been included in several local authority and other publications and the register has been publicised through the "Country Walking" magazine.