(CB): My
Lords, I too thank the noble Lord, , for introducing this
debate. I declare my interests as set forth in the register as
both a farmer and a landowner. I am a member of the Country Land
and Business Association and the National Farmers’ Union, and I
am an avid walker. I am also happy to state that, as far as my
own property is concerned, I do not have and never have had any
contentious issues or arguments relating to rights of way, of
which we have many being located in the Chilterns. We welcome
responsible walkers and riders, who often help us by reporting
incidents of sheep worrying and other anti-social
behaviour...
(Con):...In light of the complexities of recording
rights of way, a review of the “Discovering Lost Ways” project in
2008 concluded that a fresh look at the system was needed to
enable the definitive maps to be updated before the cut-off date.
A stakeholder working group was convened, formed of a balance of
local authorities, user groups, landowners, the NFU, the British
Horse Society, the LGA and many others. In its 2012
report Stepping Forward the group
put forward a number of proposals on which Defra consulted. Defra
officials then began to work with the group on a package of
secondary legislation to implement its proposals, taking into
account both the broad consensus and the range of views held by
different people within the group. The group
works well and in a spirit of compromise. That is so necessary,
as noted by the noble Lord, ...
To read the whole debate, CLICK
HERE
