1 Overview
West Sussex Local Access Forum (WSLAF) is an independent official body, which aims to improve and protect countryside access in West Sussex. It covers the whole county, with the exception of the South Downs National Park which has its own Local Access Forum.
What does WSLAF do?
- Advises on improving public access to land for informal public recreation.
- Encourages the enjoyment and understanding of the countryside.
- Considers the needs and concerns of land managers, tenants and owners.
- Promotes the enhancement and conservation of the natural environment.
- Works with the County Council to develop, protect and improve the rights of way network.
- Broadens access to the rights of way network for everyone.
You can find more information on the role of Local Access Forums on GOV.UK.
Supporting documents
2 Become a member
If you feel passionately that public rights of way and access to the countryside should be protected and improved, and would really like to be involved in working to achieve this, you are the person we need.
If you are interested in becoming a member please contact us.
Forum membership
The Forum can have a maximum of 22 members representing a broad range of interests and views relating to the countryside.
Members of Local Access Forums include:
- countryside users
- landowners and managers
- conservation
- access for the disabled
- planning
- councillors
- other interests in countryside access.
There are four meetings a year; two formal meetings supported by West Sussex County Council, which are open to the public, and two informal meetings organised by Forum members. In addition, there may be site visits and working group meetings you can get involved with.
In order to give advice to a range of organisations, members are expected to engage in debate and seek consensus wherever possible, with the aim to protect and improve recreation access in the area covered by the Forum. This often takes place at meetings, but sometimes deadlines mean matters have to be considered outside of meetings, usually via email.
Those on the Forum give their time on a voluntary basis, however, transport costs are reimbursed.
Training in Rights of Way and countryside access matters is provided for new members.
Supporting documents
3 Meeting dates
The Forum meets formally twice a year, usually on Wednesdays between 10.30am-1.00pm, alternating between Chichester and Horsham. In between these meetings, members may meet informally to progress the work of the Forum. Meetings generally alternate between Chichester and Horsham.
Formal meetings are open to the public, but if you would like to attend or speak at a meeting you will need to contact the Forum Officer beforehand.
Scheduled future formal meetings
- Wednesday 30 October 2024 - Chichester
4 Agendas and minutes
2024
April
- Agenda - 17 April 2024 (PDF, 220KB)
- Item 5 - WSCC PRoW annual report - 17 April 2024 (PDF, 133KB)
- Item 8 - General report - 17 April 2024 (PDF, 207KB)
2023
October
- Agenda - 18 October 2023 (PDF, 221KB)
- Confirmed minutes - 18 October 2023 (PDF, 269KB)
- Item 8 - General report - 18 October 2023 (PDF, 263KB)
April
- Agenda - 19 April 2023 (PDF, 219KB)
- Minutes - 19 April 2023 (PDF, 280KB)
- Item 4 - WSCC PRoW annual report - 19 April 2023 (PDF, 144KB)
- Item 8 - General report - 19 April 2023 (PDF, 205KB)
2022
October
- Agenda – 19 October 2022 (PDF, 121KB)
- Minutes - 19 October 2022 (PDF, 185KB)
- Item 9 - General report - 19 October 2022 (PDF, 230KB)
May
- Agenda - 4 May 2022 (PDF, 122KB)
- Minutes - 4 May 2022 (PDF, 201KB)
- Item 4 - Annual report - 4 May 2022 (PDF, 140KB)
- Item 9 - General report - 4 May 2022 (PDF, 265KB)
2021
October
- Agenda - 20 October 2021 (PDF, 125KB)
- Minutes - 20 October 2021 (PDF, 189KB)
- Item 10 - General report - 20 October 2021 (PDF, 164KB)
April
- Agenda - 28 April 2021 (PDF, 121KB)
- Confirmed minutes - 28 April 2021 (PDF, 220KB)
- Item 5 - WSCC PRoW annual report - 28 April 2021 (PDF, 118KB)
- Item 8 – General report - 28 April 2021 (PDF, 193KB)
2020
December
- Agenda - 16 December 2020 (PDF, 124KB)
- Minutes - 16 December 2020 (PDF, 191KB)
- Item 6 - WSCC PRoW annual report 2019 (PDF, 152KB)
- Item 11 - General report - 16 December 2020 (PDF, 361KB)
April - Scheduled meeting cancelled due to COVID-19
5 Contact the Forum
6 Annual reports and advice
- WSLAF annual report 2021/22 (PDF, 1.6MB)
- WSLAF annual report 2019/21 (PDF, 117KB)
- WSLAF annual report 2018/19 (PDF, 422KB)
Consultations and advice
2021 responses/advice
- Agriculture Act 2020 and Environment Land Management Scheme - Secretary of State for DEFRA (PDF, 116KB)
- Agriculture Act 2020 and Environment Land Management Scheme - Response to letter from Under Secretary of State for DEFRA (PDF, 121KB)
- Ford development: Masterplan - Arun District Council (PDF, 80KB)
2019 responses/advice
- Draft site allocations DPD - Mid-Sussex District Council (PDF, 72KB)
- Design guide for new housing development - High Weald AONB (PDF, 266KB)
- 2026 cut-off date (CRoW Act) - Secretary of State for Rural Affairs (PDF, 83KB)
- A2300 improvements scheme - WSCC (PDF, 137KB)
- Friars Oak, Hassocks planning application DM/19/1897 - Mid-Sussex District Council (PDF, 99KB)
- A29 Realignment Scheme - WSCC (PDF, 186KB)
- Chichester Local Plan Review: preferred approach - Chichester District Council - response has been submitted via online form