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Countryside: Access

Asked by Mr Richard HoldenConservativeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 22 May 2026UIN 1706

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to take legislative steps to improve access to nature.

Answered by Mary Creagh

This Government has announced, as part of the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025, that we will bring forward an Access to Nature Green Paper to consult on proposals to improve and expand public access to the outdoors.

The Green Paper will set out a range of policy options and invite views from stakeholders and the public, helping us to gather evidence and test approaches before decisions are made.

This consultation will play an important role in shaping the development of future policy in this area. Further updates and a timeline for publication will be provided in due course.

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