ACCESS FORUM Page 1 Agenda Item 4 THE CLA Tim Woodward MSc FRICS - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

LINCOLNSHIRE LOCAL ACCESS FORUM THE CLA

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Agenda Item 4

Tim Woodward MSc FRICS

Regional Surveyor, based in CLA East Regional Office

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• The Country Land and Business Association (formerly the

Country Landowners’ Association)

• Still known as “the CLA”
• Founded 1907
• About 30,000 members, collectively owning 50% of all rural land

in England and Wales (more than 10 million acres)

• Farmers, landowners, and more than 250 different sorts of rural

businesses

What is the CLA?

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CLA STRUCTURE

• Headquarters in Belgrave Square in London, housing specialist

advisory teams, policy advisers, finance, and public relations and press officers

• Six regional offices, each with a team of Chartered surveyors

and rural advisers

• East region comprises ten counties, from the Humber to the

Thames, with about 6,500 members

• Specialised national access advisor

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What does the CLA do?

• Influences, lobbies, and formulates rural policy

with Government and other stakeholders, at EU, national and local level

• Provides free professional advice to members on

policy, law, tax, planning, environment, land use, rural funding, etc.

• Provides opportunities for member liaison and

networking

• Provides member services and benefits

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ACCESS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE

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Public access to the countryside

• CLA members seem generally happy with

public access, provided users don’t trespass off RoWs, and respect property, crops, livestock and wildlife

• Many members provide permissive

routes, to supplement public RoW

• Are worried where public access

facilitates rural crime and anti-social behaviour

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Typical recent issues and areas of concern

• The England Coast Path
• Section 31(6) Highways Act

1980 statements

• Misuse of rights of way

(trespass, dogs, horses, and signage)

• Preventing use of RoW for

fly-tipping, illegal hare coursing, and poaching

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Typical recent issues and areas of concern

• Responsibility for maintenance – surface,

stiles, and gates

• Network Rail level crossing closure

programme – creation and closure of RoW

• RoW diversions for small-scale

development and diversification projects

• Permissive footpaths
• Upgrading of RoW to cycle routes

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Specialised technical advice on access matters

• CLA Handbooks
• CLA Guidance notes
• Other sources, like Gov.UK,

local authorities, and other

• rganisations
• Technical events and

seminars

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16 Belgrave Square London SW1X 8PQ Tel 020 7235 0511 Fax 020 7235 4696 Email mail@cla.org.uk Website www.cla.org.uk

THANK YOU

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