This is a snapshot of activities. Please note that Access and Bridleways volunteers are asked to report their activities to the county committees so many of their items will be in addition to the examples below.
National Forest Company meeting
BHS Access and Bridleways volunteers and I arranged a meeting with the National Forest Company to discuss equestrian access in the forest which spans areas of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. BHS volunteers have previously been invited to local forum with National Forest.
However, this hasn’t resumed since the pandemic and the links hadn't been re-established. The
meeting was positive and we're now in the process of exploring existing routes and where access could be improved.
BHS Ride Out UK Fund
Improvements have been made to bridleways B25 and D104 near Noseley in Leicestershire. The Rights of Way Officer for Leicestershire County Council used a contribution from Ride Out funding towards the cost of three new gates and their installation to enhance access along 3km of beautiful bridleway and to connecting routes. Thanks to all involved!
Permissive Bridleway Mantle Solar Farm
In May, BHS responded to the application by Exagen for a solar farm in Wymeswold, Leicestershire. They requested the addition of a bridleway within the site boundaries to connect bridleways H73a and H72, drawing on the BHS Access and Bridleways volunteer’s knowledge of the local need. In response, the developer has ‘amended the design to provide a permissive bridleway…creating a safe, off-road alternative to Narrow Lane and closing the gap’ between the existing Public Bridleways which will be available for the lifetime of the project. The planning application is under assessment by Charnwood Borough Council P/25/0782/2.