All Party Parliamentary Group for Outdoor Recreation & Access to Nature

As one of its first actions, the Chair (Andy McNae MP) and officers of the APPG, have decided to launch an inquiry to examine ideas for changes in policy and legislation that would enable more people to access green and blue spaces.

The inquiry is being conducted over the summer and will be publishing its report at the start of September. It is hoped the inquiry will inform the direction the Government takes as it considers its manifesto commitment to expand access to nature.

As the APPG Secretariat, BMC supported by the Ramblers and Paddle UK are facilitating the bulk of the inquiry, with support from Fusion Media, to review the evidence and produce a report.

The inquiry will be hearing evidence from a small number of expert panels, as well as receiving written submissions. It would be fantastic if you would be willing to put a submission in.

The call for evidence is open until the 20th July.

A link to the call for written evidence can be found here.

Contributions are welcome from individuals, academics, think tanks, charities, advocacy groups and other stakeholders with perspectives relevant to the lines of inquiry. The APPG is particularly interested in hearing from:

• Organisations representing a diverse range of outdoor users.
• Access policy experts.  
• Organisations working with children and young people.
• Organisations working with people from minority backgrounds, low-income households and those living with disabilities and/ or ill health.
•  Land managers and owners with experience of people accessing land for outdoor recreation.
• The evidence gathering for the inquiry is being facilitated by the APPG secretariat and the final report will be being produced with support from an external agency.

Scope and lines of inquiry

The APPG is interested in receiving ideas for new legislation and / or policy proposals which would:  

1.   Enable more people to make use of existing access opportunities (including open access and public rights of way).

2.   Improve access to landscapes (woodlands, riversides, water bodies, downland) and the safeguards needed for the environment and land management. 

3.   Enable more people to undertake a broader range of responsible outdoor activities and the safeguards needed for the environment and land management. 

4.   Ensure green and blue spaces are more evenly distributed and better connected. 

5.   Ensure access to nature is better used to support health and wellbeing outcomes. 

6.   Increase access to sites of public or historic interest

7.   Enable more people, particularly children, young people and underrepresented groups, to regularly experience and engage with green and blue spaces.

All of the information related to the inquiry and how the evidence will be used can be found via the link. Please do share with others who you feel may be interested in responding.