WS4: Access for people

How much will be paid

£92 per hectare (ha)

Where to use this supplement

It’s available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier on whole or part parcels where currently there is a lack of access to a woodland, but people would benefit if they could access the woodland.

If you include this as part of your Higher Tier application, the Forestry Commission will assess your application for this option before you are offered an agreement.

How this supplement will benefit the environment

Effective use of the supplement will:

• create more opportunities for the public to have access to woods
• contribute to the publics’ health and mental well-being
• create alternative outdoor activities
• create educational opportunities so people can understand woodlands better
• encourage and foster engagement with nature

Aims

Enable permissive access (by foot) across the whole woodland to increase the wellbeing of the public, where access to the woodland is currently limited.

Where this supplement cannot be used

• Outside the spatial eligibility, unless agreed with your Woodland Officer. Read the Countryside Stewardship: Higher Tier manual for more information
• Where woodland owner/manager already has a legal obligation to provide access by foot due to their existing commitments or where legal rights already exist, for example, open access land. Agree compatibility with other woodland supplements with your Woodland Officer or Deer Officer.

Requirements

• Enable permissive access to the woodland through identifiable paths and routes. Carry out management and maintenance of the path network, to allow public access throughout the year on foot, and where reasonable for mobility aids, pushchairs and buggies.
• Erect appropriate signs to show the public they are welcome to visit the woods
• Each year, carry out the necessary number of site inspections to make sure the woodland complies with Health and Safety standards

Keeping records

You must keep the following records and supply them on request:

• bank statements, receipted invoices, consents, or permissions connected with the work
• records of all management activity on the option area for each parcel, including an operational site assessment, or similar, to show UKFS compliant operational activities
• evidence of activities undertaken through monitoring, photography and marking

Additional guidance and advice

Read Open access land: management, rights and responsibilities and Public rights of way: landowner responsibilities to find more information and guidance on this supplement.

Further information

Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Higher Tier including how to apply.

Specifics on signage requirements will be sent directly to agreement holders.