Further supplementary memorandum submitted
by the National Forest Company (TNF 04B)
— The National Forest Company is committed
to increasing the provision of access for all users. It seeks
to work with riders from across the Forest to ensure that the
needs of local riders are recognised. — Horse access has
been established on 46 privately-owned sites via the Tender Scheme.
— Permits are often used on sites due to
the increased wear that can occur from riding (eg churning up
of paths) and subsequent maintenance costs. The concept of a standardised
`Forest-wide' permit has been raised, but delivering and administering
such a scheme would be complex and costly. The mechanism by which
it could be delivered is still being investigated.
— Ms Allen raises concerns about access
being removed from sites when Tender Scheme contracts expire.
Of the 61 sites where contracts have ended (Rounds 1 to 4 of the
scheme), just one 5ha site has seen a total closure of public
access. Due to changes in contract durations, the next site contracts
to end will not be until 2024.
— Where the NFC has direct control over
the development of sites/schemes, it seeks (where feasible/appropriate)
to provide multi-user access routes (including for horses). Examples
include the new Conkers Circuit (8km), Hicks Lodge (1.5km), Poppy
Wood (2km) and Hartshorne (1km linking two existing riding areas).
— The NFC continues to promote the provision
of multi-user access through the new Changing Landscape Scheme.
Under the scoring criteria for the CLS, three criteria are given
special weighting (ie are scored double), one of which is `Public
& Other Access'. Achieving the highest score for access requires
a scheme to provide "90% permissive access, including
facilities for other users eg horse riders, cyclists and people
with impaired mobility".
— While it encourages landowners to provide
horse access, the NFC cannot (and should not) "force"
the provision of horse access onto landowners. This would be counterproductive
across the whole range of the NFC's work, as the ethos is for
forest creation through voluntary agreement.
— There is a perception among many landowners
that allowing horse access brings with it increased costs, risks
and hassle. For example, on one site in the Forest, the irresponsible
actions of a rider nearly led to the injury of a child. Concerns
over future risks led to the removal of all horse access on the
site, despite the intervention of NFC staff.
— In 1995, bridleways accounted for 6%
of rights of way in the Forest, compared to a national average
of 13%. The NFC continues to recognise that more bridleways are
needed, as do the three county council Rights of Way teams that
cover the Forest. Unfortunately, budgetary constraints within
local authorities make the delivery of an integrated network of
bridleways an extremely unlikely proposition.
— As a result, the NFC has convened a working
group of local riders to identify priorities for new local riding
links and to then work in partnership with (rather than at odds
with) the county councils to seek to achieve them. By prioritising
the most important and/or viable opportunities, the NFC and county
councils can work more efficiently.
— It should also be noted that riding is
not the only equestrian activity in The National Forest. There
is a strong carriage driving presence within the Forest. Catton
Hall is a major carriage driving venue, hosting international
competitions; while the NFC supports the annual Midlands Driving
Trials at Grangewood. This sport is growing within the Forest
and was featured on a recent edition of the BBC's Country Tracks.
— In an ideal world, the NFC would like
to see a multi-user link (not just for horses) between every settlement.
This would create network of paths that would offer a sustainable
alternative to car travel and add greatly to the goals of healthy
living, open access and tourism generation. We recognise that
this is an ambitious goal, but one worth aspiring towards. Access
provision, like the creation of the Forest as a whole, is still
a `work in progress'. Every small addition has the potential to
add to a better connected and more extensive network in the future.
January 2010
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