Access Land (Hansard, 21 January 2002)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty)

We have today published a consultation paper which sets out the Government's proposals for regulations on the dedication of access land under Section 16 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The regulations, which we expect to lay before Parliament later this year, will enable the owner of any land, or a lessee with a long lease, irrevocably to dedicate that land for public access. The Forestry Commission has already announced its intention in principle to dedicate the national forestry estate under Section 16.

My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Rural Affairs (Mr Alun Michael) is also writing today to green minister colleagues about the considerable scope for dedication of land held by government departments and sponsored non-departmental public bodies where dedication is compatible with the purpose for which the land is held. We will work with other departments to explore the opportunities for dedication through the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.

Copies of the consultation paper are being sent to organisations representing local authorities, recreational users and land managers representative organisations and others with an interest; the consultation paper is also being published on the Defra website. A copy of the consultation paper has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.