Open Access Land

In May 2005 the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CROW) came into force, clearly identifying open access land in Wales and England. One fifth of Wales is mapped as ‘access land’ where the public have a right of access on foot.

Open Access symbol Photo by Michael Smith ©CCW

Access land,under the CRoW Act is mostly open country; mountain, moor, heath and downland.

Access land also includes 'registered common land' (land that is recorded on the official registers held by the commons registration authorities), together with areas of 'dedicated public forests' where owners such as the Forestry Commission allow free access.

To implement the CRoW Act, CCW worked with landowners, tenants and other interested parties to produce accurate maps of all open access land.

Such clarity has ensured that everyone understands their rights and obligations in respect of the landscape - both landowners, and the people who visit the land itself.

Reviewing the maps showing open access

Every ten years, the Countryside Council for Wales is required by law to review the maps of open access to mountain, moor, heath, downland and registered common land in Wales.

The process will start on 16th July 2012, when CCW will issue the draft maps of open country and registered common land. Based on these, landowners and anyone with an interest in land will be able to make representations.

CCW is working closely with the farming unions, individual landowners, and a wide range of user groups to ensure that awareness of the review is high, starting now and throughout the process until the conclusive maps are published in September 2014.

There are restrictions on access land that can exist from time to time, for reasons such as land management and public safety.

People visiting open access land obviously have a duty to show respect to the environment, other people using the land, and to those local communities which dot the landscape.

Look at the Countryside Code microsite for more details.

The Review Timetable:

16th July 2012
CCW will issue All Wales draft maps of open access. This is the opening date for representations to be submitted to CCW.

23rd November 2012
Closing date for representation submitted to CCW.

7th August 2013
CCW will issue All Wales provisional maps.

7th November 2013
Deadline for appeals applications to the Planning Inspectorate.

9th May 2014
Appeals process ends.

24th September 2014
CCW will issue All Wales conclusive map.

General enquiries on the review should be sent to: 0845 1306229 or email openaccessmapping@ccw.gov.uk

Frequently Asked Questions On The Access Provisions Of The Countryside And Rights Of Way Act Download Frequently Asked Questions On The Access Provisions Of The Countryside And Rights Of Way Act.pdf (185 KB)
Includes information on the mapping review 2012. The Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act was passed in 2000. The Act gives a right of access on foot for the purpose of open-air recreation. In Wales, the right given under the Act commenced in May 2005.

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Form For Requesting Copies Or Extracts Of Maps Download Form For Requesting Copies Or Extracts Of Maps.pdf (47 KB)
This form will help you give the right information when requesting a map. You do not have to use it, but you must identify the land in which you have an interest and the nature of your interest in that land.

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Open Access Mapping Review Representation Form Download Open Access Mapping Review Representation Form.pdf (65 KB)
Please use this form to comment on a draft map of open country and registered common land issued for consultation by the Countryside Council for Wales.

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Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000-Managing Public Access to Areas of Land Download Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000-Managing Public Access to Areas of Land.pdf (386 KB)
Guidance for landowners and managers focusing on public access to areas of land including access and liability issues under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. It updates the information contained in the 2005 publication Managing Public Access.

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Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000-Countryside Access Maps Review-Have your say Download Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000-Countryside Access Maps Review-Have your say.pdf (1 MB)
This document is about the maps of open country and registered common land required by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. It explains the process CCW is going through to review these maps and how you can check what land is shown on the maps and give us your views.

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Managing access in the Countryside-A guide for farmers and landowners Download Managing access in the Countryside-A guide for farmers and landowners.pdf (69 KB)
This guide is about managing public access in the countryside. It is mainly for farmers, landowners and foresters, but will also be useful for people with sporting interests and others who manage the countryside.

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Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000-How to use restrictions Download Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000-How to use restrictions.pdf (84 KB)
Guidance for landowners and managers explaining how rights of access may be restricted on ‘access land’ that is created by the Countryside & Rights of Way Act. It gives some background information and explains the different ways of restricting the right and the procedures to follow for each case.

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Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000-Excepted Land Guidelines for Wales Download Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000-Excepted Land Guidelines for Wales.pdf (18 KB)
Guidance on excepted land - the types of land where access rights under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act do not apply.

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