Access Question - Scotland

W

WishfulThinker

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 January 2006
Messages
5,418
Location
Just up from that street on the right.....
Visit site
If a person plants a large expanse as woodland, with tracks through it which are grassy, is that classed as woodland or farmland?

And can they ban people from using that land and paths?

I was under the impression that they cant stop folk from using it, as it will now come under the access code. And also that if its a large expanse of trees - easily large enough to be geting grant for and I think they do as they are told it cant be used for grazing any more - then they cant expect it to be treated like farmland if they want to take a crop from the path areas.

Is that right?
 
Access to private forestry on horseback is one of the biggest problems for access in Scotland.
They lock gates, erect barriers--not everyone wants to jump them on gravel tracks, say the area is reserved for shooting etc. Finding out who actually manages the private forests can be ''fun'' then owners can be ''off-shore'' or big business in London.

I totally agree with you that when grants have been given then access should be available.
Contact your Council Access Officers or Ranger Service and supply full details to Helene Mauchlene BHS Scotland.
 
I have emailed the local access officer at the council. The land owners live in the middle of said land. The paths are also used for riding - in fact that is what they were built for (riding school). But it is about 70-100 acres of woodland I think.

They have freely let anyone ride throught there so far, imposing no conditions. I know for a fact they are banned from using it as grazing, so I assume that to gain a crop would come under similar rules.

I did check the access code and there is a bit that says they can be excluded if for a specific recreational purpose. Well thats riding, so how could they ban riders?
 
WishfulThinker said:
If a person plants a large expanse as woodland, with tracks through it which are grassy, is that classed as woodland or farmland?

And can they ban people from using that land and paths?

I was under the impression that they cant stop folk from using it, as it will now come under the access code. And also that if its a large expanse of trees - easily large enough to be geting grant for and I think they do as they are told it cant be used for grazing any more - then they cant expect it to be treated like farmland if they want to take a crop from the path areas.

Is that right?
Click to expand...

I'm embarrassed that I used to know this stuff and just don't anymore. But my loose memory is that the newly planted area I'm sure would be designated woodland or at least a wooded area regardless of how old the trees are. I don't think they can stop people using it but if the trees are young etc they could argue that people using it could cause damage as sapling are very fragile. If they were desperate to stop people I'm sure they could claim that people hiking over it would undermine the root structure of trees etc.

Re the crop on the pathways I guess this depends on what crop they say they are growing. It is possible for land to be multi used eg for growing willow trees for fuel harvesting but also to graze sheep as sheep will keep the weeds down. Pigs can be kept in wooded areas without any hassles as can people breeding pheasants etc. I guess what I mean is that it if there are trees it doesn't mean its not being 'farmed'.

Again, if they are desperate to keep people off I think they could argue that they will let the paths grow so they can turn livestock onto it and unless they are designated as paths / rights of way etc I think they would do so legitimately.
 
Minxie - trees are what, about 3 years old now? they are near 20ft tall or more anyway.

They are prohibited from grazing horses on the paths and grassland in amongst the trees, its a condition of the grant they got to grow them.

Been told it is only till end of july, but part of me is still irked as if they do it once they will do it again, and it will become a yearly thing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top