Local Access Forum

The Derby and Derbyshire Local Access Forum provides advice on matters relating to outdoor recreation, rights of way and access to the countryside.

Following consultations with 304 organisations with related interests, we have set up a joint forum with Derby City Council (opens in a new window), known as the Derby and Derbyshire Local Access Forum.

It covers all of Derbyshire to the south and east of the National Park. The National Park and the area of the county in the north west around Buxton and Glossop is covered by the Peak District Local Access Forum. 

The role of the forum

The forum has an advisory role in strategic access and recreation issues. It acts as statutory advisor to Derby City, us and to other bodies on the improvement of public access to land in the area for the purpose of open-air recreation and the enjoyment.

In recruiting members of the forum, we have sought to provide a reasonable balance between representatives of:    

  • Users of local rights of way or the public in relation to rights over access land.
  • land owners or occupiers.
  • any other relevant interests, for example tourism, sport, nature conservation and disabled access.

A list of the current members of the forum and their interests can be found in the more information section on this page.

Meetings take place four times a year and are hosted alternately by Derby City Council and us. The meetings are open to interested members of the public.

The work of the forum

The forum is consulted on:   

  • The process of producing Rights of Way Improvement Plans for Derby City Council and us.
  • Issues relating to open country, registered common land and other registered access land.
  • Any bye-laws to be made by the access authority affecting access land.     
  • Directions restricting or excluding long-term access from access land.
  • Matters relating to the management of the public rights of way networks in the city and county.
  • Other relevant issues relating to access and outdoor recreation.                               

The forum is playing an active role in advising Derby City Council and us on the production of their Rights of Way improvement plans.

They receive regular progress reports and as the process has developed they have given advice on the content of the plans.

A joint workshop was held with the Peak District Local Access Forum in order to guide the us on how to identify themes and aims under which to identify actions that will deliver improvements to the wider access network. A report of this workshop can be viewed or downloaded from the more information section on this page.

Copies of the Annual Reports for the forum can be viewed or downloaded from the more information section on this page.

Dates of future meetings

  • Friday 6 March 2009 at Heart of the Park Building, The Arboretum, Derby

  • Friday 19 June 2009 at a venue to be announced

  • Friday 25 September 2009 at Heart of the Park Building, The Arboretum, Derby

  • Friday 4 December 2009 at County Hall, Matlock

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