Central Bedfordshire Council is currently preparing a new Outdoor Access Improvement Plan (OAIP).

The up-dated plan will form the guiding principles that will act as the cornerstone of green space and access management for Central Bedfordshire for the period 2012 - 2017, up-dating and replacing the existing Outdoor Access Improvement Plan 2006 - 2011.

The development of the second 5 year Action Plan is seen as the opportunity to revise and tailor the OAIP more specifically to Central Bedfordshire's priorities, values and geographical area, integrating with the Sustainable Communities Strategy, the Local Development Framework, Local Transport Plan and wider suite of new policies and strategies.

The management of green spaces and access to the wider countryside is a central element of 'Place Making', ensuring that Central Bedfordshire is seen as a green and pleasant place to live and work. This plan will have a key role in facilitating the Big Society helping people and communities to both explore and understand our varied landscapes and become involved in its management, increasing volunteering and generating an increased sense of ownership and pride.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 gave Local Authorities a statutory duty to publish and review, at least every ten years, a 'Rights of Way Improvement Plan'. The aim of the Plan is to create greater access to the countryside for social and economic benefits, and to protect the environment.

Following Best Practice published by Natural England, it is proposed that Central Bedfordshire's new plan will again look holistically at countryside access and the inter-relationships between people, green spaces and linear access such as rights of way and permissive paths.

The principle behind this is that most countryside users participate in an activity, such as dog walking, rambling, horse riding or cycling and they are less concerned about whether they are exercising a statutory right by using a right of way.

By considering all forms of access, ranging from doorstep greens to country parks and from rights of way on the urban fringe to paths which promote health and enable access to our special landscapes, we are able to ensure that we cater for all needs and provide a Plan which gives comprehensive guiding principles which are integrated with the Sustainable Community Strategy and provides a key role in supporting the Local Development Framework and the Local Transport Plan.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 also required highway authorities to set up Local Access Forums to help steer the improvement plan process. Following the creation of the unitary authority of Central Bedfordshire Council a new Local Access Forum was established for Central Bedfordshire and Luton area. Its members are local people with a balance of interests in the countryside, including recreational users, land managers and those with interests in nature conservation, heritage, business, health, transport and access for the less able. This is a highly successful forum which is a great example of the 'Big Society' at work in Central Bedfordshire

A sub group of this forum has been established to have regular input into the plans development. We will work with this forum to help guide the development of the up-dated plan and to adopt the final version and review annually reports monitoring its delivery.

Timeline for production

It is currently programmed that the new Outdoor Access Improvement Plan will be available for public consultation in Autumn 2012.

The main services we provide:

• Providing advice to land managers and parish councils throughout Central Bedfordshire Council 
• Providing advice in regard to agri-environment schemes and woodland schemes within Central Bedfordshire Council
• Liaising and co-coordinating with a range of environmental and other specialists interests bodies  
• Talks, walks and other events  
• Advice to Central Bedfordshire Council on the environmental management of its property to its planning and other services