Momentum building for Scottish-style land access rights in England, says film
Summary
A new documentary highlights growing support in England for public rights to access private land, similar to laws in Scotland that allow people to walk, camp, and explore nature responsibly. The film follows campaigners pushing for these "right to roam" laws after recent protests, including those over wild camping on Dartmoor.Key Facts
- The public currently has access to only about 8% of land in England.
- The right to roam movement in England started about five years ago, inspired by a famous 1932 mass trespass on Kinder Scout in the Peak District.
- A recent court case in Devon initially allowed landowners to block wild camping on part of Dartmoor but was overturned by the UK Supreme Court following public protests.
- Campaigners want laws like Scotland’s 2003 Land Reform Act, which permits responsible access to most land and water for activities like walking, cycling, and camping.
- The 2003 Scottish law requires people to use the land responsibly, which helps protect the environment.
- Some landowners, such as John Grant in Scotland, support responsible public access, but others worry about safety, costs, and damage caused by visitors.
- Farmers have raised concerns about risks like open gates, threatened livestock, and disturbed crops caused by some visitors.
- The documentary "Our Land" aims to start a public conversation on land access rights and will be shown in cinemas starting 8 May.
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