Access Tier
An Access option is available in all 22 ESAs. It aims to make ESA land available to the public for quiet, informal recreation and thereby increase public enjoyment of the countryside. Where this option is applied, the access agreement is included within the ESA agreement and is covered by the standard terms and conditions.
New access will not be funded where there is already sufficient access to the site by public rights of way, by existing agreement or obligation nor where there is a tradition of use including de facto access.
Management Prescriptions (applicable in all ESAs)
- Make the access route available for public access at no charge.
- Maintain a free passage over the access route.
- Do not erect new fences on or adjacent to the access route without the prior written approval of MAFF
- Keep the access route and fields crossed by it free of litter and other refuse.
- Exclude bulls from the access route and fields crossed by it, except for bulls which:
- Do not exceed the age of 10 months; or
- Are not of a recognised dairy breed and are at large in any field or enclosure in which cows and heifers are also at large.
- Agree with MAFF in writing in advance the Public Liability Insurance cover which you will maintain for the duration of the access agreement.
- Provide and maintain adequate means of entry to the access route.
- Affix and maintain appropriate signboards and way marking.
- Agree with MAFF in writing whether the riding of horses or cycles may be permitted on the access route.
- If you wish to apply for temporary closure of the access route you must agree this with MAFF in writing in advance. Where temporary closure is permitted you must post signs giving notice of the intended closure and the reasons for it at each entry point to the access route at least two weeks in advance of the date of closure.
Agronomic Impact
The access will require an all year round commitment from the landowner including regular checks to ensure the access is in serviceable condition and is free of litter etc. There will also be an element of "visitor management".
Income Forgone
| Losses | Gains | |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Income | Nil | |
| Costs Saved | Nil | |
| Income Lost | Nil | |
| Extra costs | ||
| Site management @ 25 hours per year @ a rate of £7.10 per hour | 178.00 | |
| Total | 178.00 | |
| Income forgone | 178.00 |
- Income forgone
- £178/ha
- Current payment rate
- £170/ha
- Level of incentive
- N/A
| ESA | Ha. | ESA | Ha. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broads | 10 | Avon Valley | 3 |
| Pennine Dales | 1 | Exmoor | 9 |
| Somerset Levels & Moors | 2 | Lake District | 20 |
| South Downs | 5 | North Kent Marshes | 2 |
| West Penwith | 2 | South Wessex Downs | 2 |
| Breckland | 4 | South West Peak | 6 |
| Clun | 3 | Blackdown Hills | 3 |
| North Peak | 4 | Cotswold Hills | 5 |
| Suffolk River Valleys | 7 | Dartmoor | 8 |
| Test Valley | 2 | Essex Coast | 3 |
| Upper Thames Tributaries | 8 | Shropshire Hills | 0 |
Page last modified:
17 August, 2005
Page published: 10 December, 2002