Land management | Sub-topic

Access to the countryside

National parks, public rights of way, Wales Coast Path

Guidance and services

Get access to the countryside
Our aim is to provide quality outdoor recreation for locals and visitors alike.
Countryside access and rights of way appeals
Countryside access and rights of way appeals are dealt with by the Planning and Environment Decisions Wales.
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000: guidance for local authorities
Includes details of the right of access for open country, public rights of way and common land.
Rights of way: guidance
What are public rights of way, who can use them and how they are managed.
Wales Coast Path
Explore the 870 mile path around our coast line.
National park authorities: term of government remit letter
Our priorities for the national parks authorities.
Access Improvement Grant 2021 to 2022: infographic
The Access Improvement Grant is a capital fund open to access authorities to improve public rights of way, open access land and green space.
Sustainable Landscapes, Sustainable Places - Access Fund: grants allocated
Grants allocated to projects and programmes as at 22nd September 2022.
Sustainable Landscapes, Sustainable Places - Landscape Fund: grants allocated
Grants allocated to projects and programmes as at 22nd September 2022.
North East Wales National Park Designation Project
Creating a National Park for Wales.
Dedicating land for access purposes: guidance
Guidance for those considering dedicating land for access purposes.
Dedicating land for access purposes: form A
Use this form to dedicate land for access purposes.
Apply to register a dedication as a local land charge: form B
Use this form to register dedicated access land as a local land charge.

Policy and background Includes strategy, reports, projects and assessments.

Wales Coast Path: 10th anniversary review
Report
Review and recommendations for future development.
Access Reform Programme
Policy and strategy
Information about the Access Reform Programme, Access Reform Advisory Group and access to water.
The Health Protection (Coronavirus: Closure of Leisure Businesses, Footpaths and Access Land) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (revoked)
Legislation
These regulations require the closure of holiday caravan sites, camping sites, amusement arcades and indoor play centres.
Access to inland waterways: our intentions
Policy and strategy
We are considering new legislation to provide access to the countryside for recreation.
Priorities for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks 2018 (valued and resilient)
Policy and strategy
Our commitment to maintain and improve both our rural landscapes and their communities.
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks 2017: report
Report
Our proposals to ensure sustainable management and improved resilience of our rural landscapes. (Future landscapes Wales)
Review of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks 2015
Report
How we can meet environmental challenges and deliver more vibrant rural communities. (Marsden report)
The Countryside Access (Local Access Forums) (Wales) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020
Legislation
These Regulations ensure that Local Access Forums are able to continue to meet and take decisions during the period of disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Analysis Report: Reform 3B Integrated planning of public access in Wales
Report
Access Reform Advisory Group
A consideration of solutions to address reforms relating to recreational access to the countryside.
Sections 147 and 147ZA of the Highways Act 1980: statutory guidance
Legislation
Guidance for local authorities on the requirements for stiles and gates on public footpaths and bridleways.
Behavioural Insights commissioned workshops with stakeholders: dogs and livestock worrying
Report
Access Reform Advisory Group
Reducing the number of dog worrying incidents near livestock.
Behavioural Insights commissioned literature review: dogs and livestock worrying
Report
Access Reform Advisory Group
Explores behavioural interventions aimed at improving dog control around livestock.

Allotments and community gardens

Allotments and community led gardening: guidance

Guidance and services

Allotments and community growing: guidance for growers and growing groups
Sharing and increasing good practice to enable you to grow your own food.
Allotments and community growing: guidance for landowners
Sharing and increasing good practice to enable people to grow their own food.
Allotments and community growing: guidance for local authorities, town and community councils
Sharing and increasing good practice to enable people to grow their own food.

Assessing environmental impact in agriculture

Guidance on when you must consult

Guidance and services

Environmental impact assessment: guidance
Explains what a project is, and whether it is subject to the regulations.
Environment impact assessment: guidance on scoping, environmental statements and EIA consent applications
How to apply for formal EIA consent, how to provide an environmental statement and the procedures applied.
Environmental impact assessment: independent appeals process for farmers and landowners
Appeal against a decision taken under the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations.
Environmental impact assessment: leaflet
If you intend to carry out an agricultural improvement project on semi-natural land, you must check the regulations.
Environmental impact assessment: screening application
Apply for an initial decision about your agricultural improvement project on semi-natural land.

Policy and background Includes strategy, reports, projects and assessments.

Environmental impact assessment: screening decisions
Report
Public register of Environmental impact assessment cases processed from 2002.
Environmental impact assessment: decision making process
Policy and strategy
How we make decisions about the significance of a project.
Production of the Peatlands of Wales Map
Report
A compilation of data sources that maps peatland areas, and estimates depth, carbon stock and greenhouse gas emissions.
Higher plant DNA sequencing in soil
Report
Higher plant DNA sequencing in Soil to aid in agricultural evidence gathering.

Carbon trading in farming

Farmers and landowners trading in carbon credits to offset greenhouse gas emissions

Guidance and services

Woodland Carbon: A guide for farmers, landowners and managers
Key issues when selling woodland carbon units as a potential new income stream.
Carbon credit trading: guidance for farmers and landowners
Farmers and landowners in Wales may be approached by private companies wanting to purchase farmers’ carbon credits to offset greenhouse gas emissions.

Common land

Village greens, applications to work on common land

Guidance and services

Commons Act 2006: sections in force
A list of sections of the Commons Act 2006 in force at January 2018.
Temporary severance of grazing rights on common land
Under section 9 of the Commons Act 2006, the right to graze animals may be severed from the land to which it is attached.
Register land as a town or village green
Under section 15 of the Commons Act 2006, land may qualify for registration as a town or village green.
Deregistration and exchange of common land
Under section 16 of the Commons Act 2006, land registered under the Commons Registration Act 1965 may be deregistered or exchanged.
Corrections to common land registers
Correcting common land mistakes under sections 19 and 22, schedule 2 of the Commons Act 2006.
Works on common land
Works allowed on common land under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006 and section 23 of the National Trust Act 1971.
Enforcement against unlawful work on common land
How to take action against unlawful work on common land under section 41 of the Commons Act 2006.
Unauthorised agricultural activity on common land
How to take action against unauthorised agricultural activity on common land under section 46 of the Commons Act 2006.

Farm pollution

Advice for farmers

Guidance and services

Code of good agricultural practice
Advice for farmers to protect water, soil and air from pollution.
Groundwater protection code: sheep dip
What you must do before, during and after the use of sheep dip, to prevent pollution.
Oil storage regulations
Guidance on the safe storage of oil to prevent water pollution.
Storing silage and slurry
Guidance to help comply with the law on storing silage and slurry.
Control of agricultural pollution regulations: guidance
Help for farmers and land managers to follow the law on reducing pollution from agriculture.

Policy and background Includes strategy, reports, projects and assessments.

The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021: summary of measures and timeline
Policy and strategy
A summary of the measures to address agricultural pollution and when they will be introduced.

Fertilisers

Reducing the impact of high fertiliser prices

Guidance and services

Reducing the impact of high fertiliser prices
We are closely monitoring the current high cost of fertiliser.

Harmful (injurious) weeds and invasive non-native species

Rules and guidance for controlling harmful (injurious) weeds and invasive non-native plants and animals

Guidance and services

Be Plant Wise: invasive plants in the wild
How to protect wildlife, waterways and the environment from invasive plants.
Code of practice for species control provisions
The process we follow to control or eradicate particular invasive non-native plants or animals.
Control injurious (harmful) weeds
Landowners and occupiers are responsible for preventing the spread of 5 injurious weeds so they do not cause injury.
Invasive aquatic species: advice for pond owners
Protecting wildlife and waterways from invasive aquatic plants. A guide for pond and aquarium owners.
Invasive aquatic species: guidance for anglers
Advice to stop the spread of invasive aquatic species on equipment and clothing.
Invasive aquatic species: guidance for boaters
Advice to stop the spread of invasive aquatic species on water sports equipment and clothing.
Invasive aquatic species: priority marine species
Categorises species as high, medium or low risk and explains their impact.
Invasive aquatic species: guidance for water users
Advice to stop the spread of invasive aquatic species on water sports equipment and clothing.
Access courses about invasive non-native species
Online courses with advice about identifying species and biosecurity.
Invasive Non-Native Species Group
Provides expert advice on how to minimise the risks posed by invasive non-native species.
Report sightings of invasive non-native species
If you spot an invasive non-native species, report it.
Common ragwort: code of practice
Owners and occupiers of land should control ragwort where there is a risk of injury to livestock.
Common ragwort: information poster
Brief advice on controlling common ragwort where it poses a risk to grazing animals.
Giant hogweed: public information on controlling invasive species
How to identify, control and dispose of giant hogweed.
Himalayan balsam: public information on controlling invasive species
How to identify, control and dispose of Himalayan balsam.
Japanese knotweed: public information on controlling invasive species
How to identify, control and dispose of Japanese knotweed.
Japanese knotweed: construction and landscape contracts
Guidance for landowners on including Japanese Knotweed control in construction and landscape contracts.
Japanese knotweed: advice for community and voluntary groups
How to stop the spread of Japanese knotweed on land you manage.
Injurious weeds: complaint form
Complain about an infestation of injurious weeds, which could spread to other land.

Policy and background Includes strategy, reports, projects and assessments.

Invasive non-native species strategy
Policy and strategy
How we plan to minimise the risks posed by invasive non-native species.

Heather and grass burning

Guidance to help follow the law, licence applications

Guidance and services

Heather and grass burning out of season: application form
Use this form to apply for a licence to burn heather and grass out of season.
Heather and grass burning code
Legal requirements and advice on safe burning and best practice.
Burning management plans: guidance for land managers
You must complete a burning management plan and keep it updated.

Pesticides

Guidance on the law for using plant protection products

Guidance and services

Pesticides: code of practice
Guidance to help professional users of pesticides follow the law.
Pesticide treatment record
Farmers can use this form to keep the required record of pesticide applications.
Grandfather rights for pesticide users have ended
Everyone who uses a professional plant protection product must have the correct certificate.
Regulation of pesticides and biocides
Explains how pesticides and biocides are approved and controlled.
Pesticides and other chemicals
Information on management of pesticides
Equipment inspection for pesticide users
Guidance to help you follow the law on checking pesticide application equipment.

Plant health

Includes tree health strategy and ash dieback

Guidance and services

Plant and tree health
Pests and diseases can have a significant impact on the health of our plants, trees and woodlands.
Wales plant health sentinel site network
Parks and gardens the Animal and Plant Health Agency inspect to check plant health.
Report plant and tree pests and diseases
If you suspect a tree of having a pest or disease, report it.
Phytophthora pluvialis
Phytophthora pluvialis is a fungal-like pathogen which affects a variety of tree species.
Phytophthora pluvialis demarcated areas: maps and notices
Areas with movement restrictions of material capable of spreading Phytophthora pluvialis.
Phytophthora ramorum
Phytophthora ramorum is the most serious tree disease to have affected our forests.
EU plant variety rights
Guidance on plant health, seeds and propagating material.
Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain 2023 to 2028
Outlines our commitments to deliver a new vision for plant biosecurity in Wales and across Great Britain.
Surveillance for pests and diseases
There are a number of surveillance networks in place across Wales to look for plant and tree pest and diseases.

Policy and background Includes strategy, reports, projects and assessments.

Phytophthora ramorum: disease management strategy
Policy and strategy
What we are doing to manage phytophthora ramorum and minimise it's impact.

Sheep dip

Guidance for farmers using sheep dip

Guidance and services

Sheep dip: ground water authorisation record
Farmers must keep a record of the fields on which they dispose of used sheep dip.
Groundwater protection code: sheep dip
What you must do before, during and after the use of sheep dip, to prevent pollution.

Soils

Agricultural land classification, soils policy evidence programme

Guidance and services

Agricultural land classification
Classification of farm land, and why it is important to land owners and planners.
Soil management
Soil is a vital resource that sustains life and provides crucial ecosystem services to Wales.
Developing a Soils Policy Statement for Wales: privacy notice
This notice informs you about our use of the information provided when you register your interest in this scheme.

Policy and background Includes strategy, reports, projects and assessments.

Review of Welsh soil evidence
Report
An overview of the main outcomes from the Soil Policy Evidence Programme.
Current soil status and threats
Collection
Evidence of the condition of our soil and the effects of soil structural degradation.
Soil in land use and land quality assessment
Collection
Evidence of how our use of land is affecting soil condition.
Soils under climate change, mitigation and adaptation
Collection
Evidence of the condition of our soil and how climate change is affecting it.
Soils policy evidence programme: all documents
Collection
Evidence of the condition of our soil and how agricultural practice is affecting it.

Access to the countryside

Guidance and services

Policy and background Includes strategy, reports, projects and assessments.

Allotments and community gardens

Guidance and services

Assessing environmental impact in agriculture

Guidance and services

Policy and background Includes strategy, reports, projects and assessments.

Carbon trading in farming

Guidance and services

Common land

Guidance and services

Farm pollution

Guidance and services

Policy and background Includes strategy, reports, projects and assessments.

Fertilisers

Guidance and services

Harmful (injurious) weeds and invasive non-native species

Guidance and services

Policy and background Includes strategy, reports, projects and assessments.

Heather and grass burning

Guidance and services

Pesticides

Guidance and services

Plant health

Guidance and services

Policy and background Includes strategy, reports, projects and assessments.

Sheep dip

Guidance and services

Soils

Guidance and services

Policy and background Includes strategy, reports, projects and assessments.

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