The South Downs Local Access Forum advises the National Park Authority and others on how best to manage access to the countryside in the National Park. There are seventeen members of the South Downs Local Access Forum who represent the views of land managers, users and others with an interest in countryside access.

The minutes of the South Downs Local Access Forum can be downloaded from the previous meetings section below.

Forthcoming Meetings

24 April 2012 - 10.30am - venue to be confirmed
17 July 2012 - TBC
9 October 2012 - TBC
22 January 2013 - TBC

Previous Meetings

12th January 2012 - Unconfirmed minutes
13th October 2011 - Confirmed Minutes
14th July 2011 - Confirmed Minutes
16th May 2011 - Confirmed Minutes

What is a Local Access Forum?

A Local Access Forum is a group of up to 22 people who give advice to various government authorities and other bodies on how best to provide access to the countryside.  The main function is to look at how the public rights of way network and access land is managed and improved.  Forum members will also be asked to comment on broader access, transport and countryside subjects.

A Local Access Forum is a statutory body and, by law, the organisations that they give advice to must have regard to that advice.

A Local Access Forum needs to have a range of members that reflect the views of both land managers and recreational users of the countryside.  The forum may also have members who represent the interests of conservation, tourism, people with disabilities, transport or other interests.

The function of the Local Access Forum is to advise on the improvement of public access to land for the purposes of open-air recreation and the enjoyment of the area.

In carrying out its functions, the Local Access Forum shall have regard to :-

  • the needs of land management,
  • the desirability of conserving the natural beauty of the area for which it is established, including the flora, fauna and geological and physiographical features of the area

Further information

Local Access Forums were created by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.  There are regulations that govern how they are set up and run.  There is also government guidance on how they work and what they do.

Natural England Local Access Forums page:

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/enjoying/accessforums/laf/default.aspx