BASC will be working with shooting interests on National Nature Reserves (NNRs) following a decision by Natural England to open its freehold NNRs for public access under section 16 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CRoW).
BASC has been in touch with Natural England and will be working with its land agent for the project to ensure that any shooting interests in the land, where known, are talked to and their interests taken into account under the new access arrangements.
In line with its approach on Coastal Access, Natural England will not be looking to create new access rights on NNR mud flats and salt marsh.
Tim Russell, BASC’s director of conservation, said: "Natural England expects that patterns and levels of access on many of its NNRs will not change a great deal on the ground, and hence the impact on shooting will be minor. BASC and Natural England will work together through any site-related issues to develop management or other solutions. Natural England has committed itself to involving people with sporting rights at an early stage so that these solutions fully reflect the circumstances on the ground."
Bruce Cutts, the project manager for Natural England, said: “We are delighted to be working closely with BASC and local shooting interests to help make a success of our work to improve the public’s access rights over our NNRs.”
ENDS