Breadcrumbs
Mapping open access land (NCAF 2/5)
1. The Forum is invited to note progress to date on the initial stage of mapping open land.
Background
2. As previously reported in NCAF 1/5 the Countryside Agency has appointed the GeoData Institute at the University of Southampton to:
a. assess the quality of existing data sets and their utility for mapping open access land;b. develop a draft mapping methodology which makes optimum use of these datasets;
c. illustrate the use of this methodology in a number of areas;
d. draw conclusions on the feasibility - for each category of open access land - of adopting a mapping approach based on the use of existing datasets; and
e. recommend a methodology for large scale test mapping
Progress
3. Progress to date has focused on three strands:
a. Data collection and evaluation - some 120 datasets have now been analysed and GeoData are in the process of acquiring samples of all the data for testing.b. Developing mapping methodology - an outline methodology has been developed to test the datasets by using them to map access land in the pilot areas. The results will be evaluated using as combination of existing digital sources, aerial photography and selective ground survey. The methodology will then be developed further in the light of the results from the pilot areas.
c. Selection of test areas - the test areas have been selected in order to answer as many questions as possible about the utility of the various datasets. A 10km square on the Powys/Shropshire border (SO27) had already been agreed as a joint test area for the Agency and the Countryside Council for Wales. To cover the range of land types and datasets, the other two test areas have been sought in the north and south of England respectively. In the north, an area has been chosen on the eastern edge of the Lake District National Park, part inside and part outside the Park. Final selection of the southern area is still being considered at the time of writing; an oral update will be given at the meeting. Mapping of these three areas will be supplemented as necessary by smaller scale tests of specific dataset issues in other locations.
Mapping Advisory Group
4. The Mapping Advisory Group, which has been set up to help the Agency on the technical aspects of mapping open access land, met for a second time on 12 August.
Links with CCW work
5. The Agency and the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) - who have appointed Chris Blanford Associates as their consultants for the first stage of the mapping work in Wales - are keeping in contact with each other on this work. Agency staff have also attended a field visit, organised by CCW, to the cross border pilot area (SO 27).
Next steps
6. This paper is an update of progress, for information. Mapping will be a major discussion item on the agenda for the next meeting of the NCAF on 1 November. That will include a presentation from the GeoData Institute on the issues and conclusions from the Stage 1 mapping contract, which is due to be completed by mid October.
