Open access restriction at Dunwich Heath (case number 2007020106)

Overview

Natural England is seeking views on proposals that will restrict public access to open access land at this site.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW Act) gives a public right of access to land mapped as ‘open country’ (mountain, moor, heath and down) or registered common land. These areas are known as ‘open access land’.  Much of the ‘coastal margin’ of the England Coast Path is also open access land under the same Act.

Landowners have the right to apply to the relevant authority (Natural England, the national park authorities or the Forestry Commission) to restrict or exclude access to open access land for the purposes of land management or public safety.  The relevant authority has the right to restrict access without application from the landowner for the purposes of public safety, nature conservation or (in the case of the coastal access margin) land management. 

Before making a decision on all such cases, the relevant authority must consult on any proposals that will restrict or exclude access indefinitely or for a continuous period that exceeds or may exceed six months.

The proposals for this particular site are outlined in the consultation document and map below.