A new documentary, 'Our Land', suggests a growing public desire for expanded access to natural spaces across England, mirroring the more extensive 'right to roam' provisions enjoyed in Scotland. The film highlights what its creators describe as building anger and momentum for greater public access to mountains, meadows, rivers, and woodlands, areas where current public access is significantly limited.
The documentary points to a stark disparity in land access rights within the United Kingdom. While Scotland operates under a 'right to responsible access' that allows the public to roam across most land and inland water, England permits access to just 8% of its land. This includes designated areas such as National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but excludes a vast majority of privately owned land.
'Our Land', whose title is a clear nod to Woody Guthrie's protest song, aims to stimulate a national discussion on these access rights. The filmmakers express a desire to foster an 'informed conversation' among the public, landowners, and policymakers regarding the current restrictions and potential for reform. They suggest that the current framework is increasingly seen as inadequate by a significant portion of the population.
The debate around land access in England has a long history, punctuated by various campaigns and legislative efforts, most notably the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. However, proponents of greater access argue that this legislation did not go far enough to address the fundamental imbalance in land use and public enjoyment of the natural environment. The film implicitly challenges the Government and Parliament to reconsider existing policies in light of what it presents as widespread public sentiment.