The BMC is about to dedicate its own land as open access for climbers and walkers to enjoy forever.

Three sites, covering a total of almost ten hectares will be dedicated, making the BMC one of the forerunners in the Countryside Agency’s initiative to encourage landowners to dedicate land not already designated as open access under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act. Dave Turnbull, BMC Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to dedicate our land as access land so that climbers, walkers and others who wish to enjoy it will have a legally binding right of access. We hope many more organisations will be encouraged to do the same.”

The first two sites to be dedicated by the BMC are in the Peak District; Aldery Cliff, a limestone crag near the village of Earl Sterndale, and Horseshoe Quarry near Stoney Middleton. When the dedications comes into full effect in October, the public will have the same statutory right of access for open-air recreation on foot to the dedicated land as they now get to land designated as open access under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act. A third site at Stone Farm Rocks in West Sussex is in the final stages of the dedication process. This is a sandstone outcrop at within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near East Grinstead.

Both Horseshoe Quarry and Stone Farm Rocks are situated within Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Dave Turnbull continued: “The BMC is one of the first organisations to dedicate land with SSSI status. We are working closely with English Nature and other relevant authorities to ensure the biological and ecological interest of the land remains protected and enhanced". The BMC is committed to dedicating and further land that comes under its ownership.

To read more about land dedication see www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk

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