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Dorset Local Access Forum

Local Access Forums are advisory bodies established under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to provide independent advice on: 'the improvement of public access to land in their area for the purposes of open-air recreation and the enjoyment of the area'.

Help build a future for Dorset's countryside 

People who enjoy the Dorset countryside are being asked to help others enjoy it by becoming a volunteer with the Dorset Local Access Forum (DLAF) and signing up this summer.

Local Access Forums provide independent advice to organisations such as councils, Defra and Natural England on how to make the countryside more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. They are made up of representatives including the general public, landowners, and those with particular interests, such as conservation, tourism and business.

Since the DLAF was established in 2002, it has made a significant difference to access and recreation across the county and focuses on a wide range of issues including play and outdoor recreation, sustainable transport, health, tourism, disability, equality and diversity, development and land management.

As the appointing authority for the DLAF the county council is inviting new members to come forward between now and 18 July 2008.

Hilary Cox, Cabinet Member for Environment said: "We are very lucky in Dorset to be surrounded by beautiful countryside however many people aren't able to enjoy it as much as they would like whether it be for reasons such as pathways which need improving or to be more appropriately located. Becoming a volunteer with the DLAF and having a say will mean that you can make a real difference and help build an open and accessible future for Dorset's countryside."

Those interested in volunteering their time can download an application pack (above right) or request one from the LAF Secretary, David Northover (contact details below). The deadline for applications is 18 July 2008. Please note that CVs are not accepted as we require the same range of information from all our candidates.

Introduction

Dorset is renowned for its wonderful coast and countryside. Its geology and farming history have together created a landscape of great variety and beauty, loved by its residents and many visitors. There are plentiful opportunities to explore the County either through its extensive rights of way network or over areas of land where access is made available, for example Open Access land.

Joint Local Access Forum

In Dorset, the Borough of Poole and Bournemouth Borough Council and Dorset County Council have established a joint Local Access Forum to offer independent guidance on access, and contribute towards the improvement of opportunities to enjoy countryside and coast within Dorset.

General role

Local Access Forums have a wide role in advising access authorities (local highway authorities and National Park authorities) and other bodies (such as Central Government, Countryside Agency, Forestry Commission, English Nature, English Heritage and district councils) on managing the public's right of access to open country and registered common land, management and improvement of public rights of way, as well as open air recreation issues more generally within the local area.

Tasks

The Dorset Local Access Forum's specific tasks include:

  • contributing to the development of Rights of Way Improvement Plans for the area
  • contributing to the development of a range of access and recreation strategies which may be developed across Dorset over the next few years
  • commenting on the Draft and Provisional Maps of Open Access Land produced for Dorset
  • producing an access strategy for Dorset: A pdf file A future for countryside access in Dorset [339kb] (opens in a new window).

Local access forums may also be requested to provide advice on:

  • strategies or plans incorporating recreation and access which set rights of way and open access in a broad context, integrating provision for access, all forms of open air recreation to land and water, and transport, tourism, health and public information
  • the extent to which fair provision is made for all current and potential users, and reflects the needs of local people and businesses
  • the co-ordinated use of resources to provide and manage integrated recreation and access, and the dissemination of information to interested groups and the wider public

Responsibilities

Local Access Forums are required, in giving advice, to have regard to:

  • the needs of land management
  • the desirability of conserving the natural beauty of the area for which it is established, including the flora, fauna and geological and physiographical features of the area
  • guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State

Annual Reports

It is a requirement under the Local Access Forums (England) 2002 Regulations that the forum should produce an Annual Report on its work. The Dorset Local Access Forum's Annual Reports can be downloaded (see above right).

Further information

For more information about the Dorset Local Access Forum please contact one of the officers below.

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