Three-Quarters of England's Woodlands Off-Limits to Public, Study Reveals
Nearly three-quarters of England's woods are inaccessible to the public, according to a government-funded study that has sparked calls for a new right-to-roam bill. The research, conducted by Forest Research, found that 73% of English woodland is off-limits, with many areas restricted due to business interests such as pheasant shoots and timber plantations.
Ancient Trees and Public Exclusion
The study also revealed that more than a third of the trees on the Woodland Trust's ancient tree inventory are inaccessible to the public. Ancient trees, some over 1,000 years old, are considered precious natural heritage, yet a large number require trespassing to visit. The Woodland Trust has advocated for greater awareness, but access remains a significant barrier.
Campaigners Demand Right-to-Roam Legislation
Campaigners are urging the government to introduce a right-to-roam policy that would allow people to walk responsibly in local woodlands. While the Labour party previously committed to a Scottish-style right to roam, it reversed this stance after lobbying by landowner groups. Instead, the government announced plans for nine river walks and three national forests, which critics argue are insufficient.
The Right to Roam campaign is planning a series of mass trespasses in woods across England during March and April. These events involve dozens of people gathering for illegal walks and picnics on land typically closed to the public. Previous trespasses have occurred in woods owned by a duke, near reservoirs, and on the grounds of a lord's country home.
Health and Social Implications
Lack of access to nature has critical implications for physical and mental health. Recent studies indicate that living near parks or green spaces can reduce anxiety and depression by about 20%. Conversely, those living more than 800 meters from green spaces report lower wellbeing, particularly during Covid-19 lockdowns. There are concerns that housing unaffordability in nature-rich areas may exacerbate health inequalities.
Campaigners warn that government policies deregulating planning for homes and infrastructure could erode green space availability, especially in less affluent urban areas. New legislation allows housing developers to build on protected green spaces without replacing lost nature, potentially worsening access issues.
Government Response and Future Actions
A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stated: "Our countryside and green spaces are a source of great national pride. This government recognises the importance of access to nature and is already taking steps to increase it." However, campaigners like Guy Shrubsole of Right to Roam argue that current measures are inadequate.
Shrubsole said: "If you go down to the woods today, you're in for a big surprise – most of them are closed to the public. It's appalling that three-quarters of all the woodland in England is inaccessible. We need the government to fix this by introducing a new right-to-roam bill in the next king's speech this May."
The government aims for everyone to live within a 15-minute walk of accessible blue or green spaces, but there are currently areas in England where this is not the case. The planned trespasses, set to occur in locations such as Suffolk, Norwich, West Yorkshire, and Somerset, highlight the growing public demand for change.
