Securing public access to National Nature Reserves
Updated 19 November 2015
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-nature-reserves-improved-public-access/securing-public-access-to-national-nature-reserves
Natural England has a 4-year programme to secure public access to all its National Nature Reserves (NNR) and similar holdings unless there are compelling reasons not to do so. This process is known as a ‘dedication’. See the open access page for more information about what this means.
For each site, Natural England are also considering the potential to create higher public access rights for horse riders and cyclists, but will only do so where appropriate. We’ll discuss our plans with neighbouring landowners.
Protecting sensitive features on National Nature Reserves
When work begins on dedicating an NNR for public access, Natural England carries out an evaluation to make sure that proposals will not have a negative impact on important sensitive features. Discussions are held between:
- the Natural England site manager
- the responsible officer for the site of special scientific interest and/or Natura 2000 site
- Natural England’s relevant open access lead adviser
Before making a decision, Natural England will share proposals and analysis of the site with interested organisations, such as the local wildlife trust.
Where it is decided that increased public access is likely to have a negative impact on sensitive features on the site, Natural England will consider managing this using:
- access management techniques (eg a polite notice steering visitors away from a sensitive feature)
- public access restrictions or exclusions under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
When necessary, Natural England will use least restrictive option which offers the required level of protection for sensitive features on the site. Restrictions or exclusions can be put in place for specific times of the year or added at short notice when circumstances change on the site.
An NNR will not be dedicated where it is decided that restrictions, exclusions or access management techniques will not sufficiently address public safety, nature conservation or other concerns.
See the National Nature Reserves dedication timetable for details of the sites Natural England is currently working on.