The Herefordshire Local Access Forum (HLAF) helps improve public access to our county's beautiful countryside. Set up under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, HLAF is a statutory body run by 22 volunteer members.

Role of a Local Access Forum (LAF) member

LAF members are volunteers from the local community, including landowners, land managers, access users (such as walkers, cyclists, and horse riders), and representatives of other interests like health and conservation.

LAF members set their own priorities based on local issues, respond to consultations, and draft policy documents. When making recommendations, they consider land use and the need to conserve flora, fauna, geological, and physical features.

Responsibilities of a LAF member

• Work constructively with other members to advise Herefordshire Council and Natural England on improving public access to the countryside for recreational purposes.
• Attend regular meetings of the Local Access Forum (three to four per year).
• Advise on the implementation of new rights of access under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act in Herefordshire.
• Consider applications for restrictions or closures of access land for land management or conservation purposes.
• Advise on the development of relevant recreation and access plans and strategies, such as rights of way improvement plans.

Local Access Forum meetings

The dates for the Local Access Forum meetings in 2025 are:

• Friday 31 October - Herefordshire Archive and Records Centre (HARC) in The Jim Tonkin room. The meeting will start at 11am. Refreshments will be available from 10.30am.

Download HLAF agendas, meeting notes, correspondence and other documents.

You can find out more about Local Access Forums on the government website.

For further information about Herefordshire Local Access Forum's work, complete our contact us form, call 01432 260000 or email prow@herefordshire.gov.uk