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Motorsport access and Stewardship Scheme problems

 
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Difflock Forum Index -> MSA chat -> Cross Country
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Diamond Hell
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Joined: 16 Jul 2010
Odometer: 33
Location: Isle of Wight



PostPosted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 2:05 pm    Post subject: Motorsport access and Stewardship Scheme problems Reply with quote

I'm surprised there's nothing on here about this already.

Over 60% of English farmland is now in a Stewardship scheme.

Stewardship schemes have been put in place, administered by Natural England. Farmers sign up to an agreement for a certain period. Each agreement is unique to the farm and is accompanied by a map of the farm, which indicates what areas of the farm fall under what 'options' chosen from the list available.

Meeting the stewardship 'options' in a farm's stewardship agreement is what is required to be paid by DEFRA.

Stewardship options are often implemented on the worst land - on which 4x4 events often would be likely to take place.

I've worked through the full list of +60 options, assessing them for likely impact on motor sport taking place on the land on which they are implemented. There are some options which obviously preclude motor sport activities and some options that do not.

Here is the biggest obstacle standing in the way of motor sport taking place on land that's within stewardship schemes:



This is from the Stewardship contract. Although this is unique to every farm, this bit is common to all agreements.

If you read carefully all the way to the end it's OK, but the sentence is so long and badly worded most people will get under halfway through and figure that motor sport is not allowed on land in a stewardship scheme.

How has this happened? The MSA and Natural England appear to have been mutually ignorant of each other during the set up of this scheme. From talking to both bodies over the past couple of months they still don't seem to have much idea of each others existence.

Have your club been affected by the Stewardship scheme? Is there land on which you used to hold events which has now been deemed 'off limits' because it's in stewardship? If so, please get in contact with me or the MSA. The MSA's current view is that motorsport events are currently unaffected by stewardship. As I'm trying to hunt out new venues I know this is not the case.

I would be very interested to hear from anyone who has encountered issues getting access to land. Feel free to PM me on here, or email me on diamondhell@gmail.com

Cheers.
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Difflock Royalty


Joined: 19 Jun 2002
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Location: Northern Ireland's Gold Coast


2009 Land Rover 110 CSW

PostPosted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 10:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://forum.difflock.com/viewtopic.php?t=64530
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Diamond Hell
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Joined: 16 Jul 2010
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Location: Isle of Wight



PostPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 6:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is totally different to the planning rules.

These are contracts signed by land owners with Natural England.

Absolutely nothing to do with planning, but to do with what the land is used for during the period the land owner is signed up to the contract.

I still view this as a major threat, especially at a time when use of MOD land is becoming more difficult.

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Volkswagens and 4x4s will be the death of me.
They've already been the serious wounding of me on various occasions.
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Difflock Royalty


Joined: 19 Jun 2002
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Location: Northern Ireland's Gold Coast


2009 Land Rover 110 CSW

PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 1:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I raised this at yesterday's Cross Country Committee meeting.

I understand that Stewardship contracts are signed on an individual basis between the Landowner and Natural England and as such the MSA have no say. However they will, where appropriate, represent the views of member Clubs in negotiations with the relevant parties. I believe that MSA are currently dealing with 3 such cases.

Of more concern to organising Clubs, I believe, is the Single Farm Payment scheme and MSA are currently consulting on this as the scheme is due for renewal.

__________________________________
Bert the Defender 110 XS - because it's Cool (work it out yourself!)
Lolita the Lightweight
???? the V8 90 CSW
Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom - yes that's right, I have a Zook!
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Diamond Hell
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Joined: 16 Jul 2010
Odometer: 33
Location: Isle of Wight



PostPosted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 12:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The lot are tied up together.

Unless the MSA get their sh*t together the cross country disciplines may as well pack up and go home.

Very depressing. Rolling Eyes

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Volkswagens and 4x4s will be the death of me.
They've already been the serious wounding of me on various occasions.
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Difflock Royalty


Joined: 19 Jun 2002
Odometer: 40007
Location: Northern Ireland's Gold Coast


2009 Land Rover 110 CSW

PostPosted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Whilst I agree that this is worrying for event organisers and competitors, if Landowners put stewardship and SFP money before motorsport there's not really a lot the MSA can do.

They can give their input to consultations and mediate where the opportunity arises but what else can they do? It's the Landowners who sign the contracts in full knowledge of what they are or are not permitted to do with their land.

Whilst it is financially beneficial for Landowners to keep motors off their land there is, sadly, nothing that anyone can do IMO.

Bear in mind that the Cross Country Committee is made up of event organisers at all levels who are more than aware of the problems that this issue raises and if they could get changes made to the policy through the MSA they would!

__________________________________
Bert the Defender 110 XS - because it's Cool (work it out yourself!)
Lolita the Lightweight
???? the V8 90 CSW
Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom - yes that's right, I have a Zook!
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Diamond Hell
Gate Opener


Joined: 16 Jul 2010
Odometer: 33
Location: Isle of Wight



PostPosted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 6:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

. wrote:

They can give their input to consultations and mediate where the opportunity arises but what else can they do?


Be pro-active and get in contact with Natural England, who write the contracts and actually set the rules. Until MSA actually engage with them and discuss the needs of motor sports they will continue writing contracts blind to motor sports' needs (I honestly don't think there's any malice, just that they are blind to it).

. wrote:

Whilst it is financially beneficial for Landowners to keep motors off their land there is, sadly, nothing that anyone can do IMO.


You're missing the point. The way the contracts are worded is unfortunate. IF you read the pieces about land access in-the-round they are not limiting. If you just take a simplistic view and read up until the bit where it starts to say 'no' then they appear very limiting. Guess what most land owners will do.

I went through and disected each of the contract components that can be put into the Natural England contract, specifically outlining where I thought there was a problem and where there wasn't. Anyone who can work on this problem (and it is a huge problem) is welcome to have this assessment to help them.

. wrote:

Bear in mind that the Cross Country Committee is made up of event organisers at all levels who are more than aware of the problems that this issue raises and if they could get changes made to the policy through the MSA they would!


I totally understand that. Have they actually got hold of the documents from DEFRA and Natural England and analysed them and tried to find a resolution to this? It is my opinion that trying to address the minister is not the right thing to do on this occasion - you need to address the technical staff who need to clarify the guidelines they have issued. If they are approached appropriately this need not be combative.

To be honest I've been very disappointed with the feedback from Ian Davies - I've provided a comprehensive analysis and also offered to work with people on this. I only have access to sample contracts, an agriculture degree and various contacts within NFU and other farming bodies, so what could I possibly offer to help out? Rolling Eyes

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Volkswagens and 4x4s will be the death of me.
They've already been the serious wounding of me on various occasions.
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Diamond Hell
Gate Opener


Joined: 16 Jul 2010
Odometer: 33
Location: Isle of Wight



PostPosted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 5:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Things now moving after a bit of a push with the MSA.

Meeting took place last week with them, LARA and ACU.

If anyone organising club events is turned down when going to a site they've had access to before, ask if it's because of limits on a Stewardship contract - we need to be up front with landowners and ask this because we need evidence that Stewardship is killing off-road motorsport venues.

If you DO get confirmation, please contact me and I'll put you on to the right people who should be notified as part of the gathering of evidence.

__________________________________
Volkswagens and 4x4s will be the death of me.
They've already been the serious wounding of me on various occasions.
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Difflock Royalty


Joined: 19 Jun 2002
Odometer: 40007
Location: Northern Ireland's Gold Coast


2009 Land Rover 110 CSW

PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 3:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Seems an agreement has been reached. So long as the activity does not actually impact on the area under stewardship then it is OK.
__________________________________
Bert the Defender 110 XS - because it's Cool (work it out yourself!)
Lolita the Lightweight
???? the V8 90 CSW
Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom - yes that's right, I have a Zook!
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