News
Increased Public Access to MoD Estate
21st March 2006
The MoD is increasing public access to its 240,000 hectares of Estate, Defence Secretary, John Reid, announced today.
An updated website, detailing the most attractive walks the MoD has to offer across the UK, has been launched as part of the new Defence Estate Strategy.
Mr Reid said: "Looking after our Armed Forces involves providing a challenging and sustainable foundation for training, which means that we must cultivate and preserve our Estate. We recognise that putting it at the heart of estate planning and processes is essential for the capability of our Armed Forces' future.
"Yet I am pleased that the public will also be able to enjoy a greater share of our estate and its heritage. The launch of the MoD's public access website will grow over time to include information on cycling, horse riding and rock climbing on MoD land."
With 1300km of public rights of way and 200km of routes, http://www.access.mod.uk holds full details of 14 walks in a countryside rich in heritage, archaeological interests, captivating views and a diversity of flora and fauna.
The Defence Estate Strategy aims to further improve:
* the quality of the estate for the military user to enhance fighting power, recruitment and retention and enable them to train realistically with minimal constraint;
* the living environment for Service families, creating a place where they want to live and work, integrated with the wider community;
* opportunities for the public to enjoy the Defence Estate whilst the nation's heritage is protected and the natural environment is enhanced; and
* collaborative work with industry to deliver innovation and best practise by improving construction design, sustainable development and environmental management.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence, Don Touhig, said: "The new Estate Strategy recognises the importance of defending the nation's heritage whilst protecting and enhancing the natural environment.
"The MoD owns a significant amount of all UK Government-owned land, and it is well maintained and sustained to ensure that we can continue to provide for the Armed Forces for many years to come. Safety and operational constraints apart, our rural estate is accessible for us all to share. The new website will encourage more people to enjoy this national asset."
Chief Executive of Defence Estates, Vice Admiral Peter Dunt, also launched the Stewardship report today and said: "Our Stewardship Report on the Defence estate helps demonstrate the progress we have been making over the last few years. It also sets out what a challenge it is to manage an estate blessed with such varied terrain and landscapes, buildings and facilities and - quite rightly - high user expectations.
"We are leading the way in the public sector on the procurement front by creating Supplier Associations and sharing with industry ways of doing things better. The condition of the estate is fundamental to our success, and sound partnerships with industry and our other stakeholders are key to its improvement".
