Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an estimate of the proportion of common land that is not used for (a) commoners' rights and (b) public access.

An estimation of common land that is not used for commoners’ rights is not available.

Approximately 370,000 hectares of land has been mapped as Registered Common Land, in accordance with Section 4 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, the majority of which is publicly accessible. Approximately 3,700 hectares (1%) is considered to be excepted land for defence or security reasons. Data on other common land including any local byelaws or regulations that may restrict public access is not readily available.