In response to an enquiry from Land-Care, Bridget
Dales of SNH commented on 24th July as follows:
"SNH has received representations from over 1,300 respondents.
As a large number of these were received at the very end of the
consultation period, it has taken some time to identify duplicates
(post and email and fax) and log those which were submitted (by
agreement) after the closing date. We hope to publicise the confirmed
final number in the next few days.
Once we have issued the final number, we will indeed be able
to provide a breakdown of respondent type. From a preliminary
examination of those logged to date: of the 900 Individuals who
responded, over 400 identified themselves as land managers; over
300 did not state their interest; and over 100 identified themselves
as recreational users.
The remaining representations are from: Community Councils; User
groups; representative bodies; Local authorities; NGOs; national
and regional agencies; other businesses.
The responses, with the exception of those submitted in confidence
by their authors, are indeed available for viewing by anyone who
would like to examine them. Viewing is by appointment at either
our Battleby or Edinburgh (Anderson Place) offices. We hope that
a full index will have been produced by 28 July to aid this viewing.
Please contact me if you would like to make an appointment.
In terms of the process of collating and analysing the responses,
this task will be undertaken by SNH. As the draft Code was based
on the advice of the national Access Forum, we will again seek
the advice of this forum on the issues raised and the potential
changes to the Code. However, it will be for SNH's Main Board
to consider and approve a revised draft of the Code to be submitted
to Ministers. Ministers will then decide whether to accept, reject
or write a new Code, and the Scottish Parliament is required to
give final approval.
You ask about the future of the Access Forum. SNH carried out
a consultation on the role, structure, representation and ways
of working of the Access Forum over the same period as the Access
Code consultation. The outcome of this review, based on the views
received, will be made available in due course."
Bridget Dales, Recreation & Access
Group, Scottish Natural Heritage
