Do you have an interest in public rights of way and countryside access?  Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) is searching for new members for the Monmouthshire Local Access Forum.  The forum provides advice on the improvement of public access in the county for open-air recreation and enjoyment and it advises and assists with the implementation of the council’s Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan.  Members of LAFs are volunteers and include a range of people from the local community, including landowners and land managers, access users and those representing other interests, such as health and conservation.  MCC is hoping to find members who will be able to contribute to the forum for the next 3 years.

For more information and application forms can be downloaded from http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/monmouthshire-local-access-forum/  Completed forms are required by 18 September.

The Welsh Government has published its consultation on a National Development Framework and related documents at https://gov.wales/draft-national-development-framework. Comments are required by 1 November. The introduction starts thus: The NDF is a 20-year plan for Wales up to 2040. It covers the big issues important to Wales’ success, including housing, energy, economy, transport and the environment. It identifies where nationally significant developments should take place, where key growth areas are, what infrastructure and services are needed and how Wales can contribute to the fight against climate change. It is about making the best use of resources, creating accessible healthy communities and protecting our environment. The NDF is not about local matters which are normally dealt with at local authority level – but rather takes a broader look at what Wales, as a whole, needs in order to achieve prosperity and well-being now and in the future.

You have until 29 August to comment on the Brecon Beacons National Park Local Development Plan Preferred Strategy and other documents, including Candidate Sites for development. The draft documents are available at https://www.beacons-npa.gov.uk/planning/draft-strategy-and-policy/local-development-plan-review/

The opportunity to comment on Monmouthshire’s LDP Options has now ended and their Preferred Strategy consultation is expected in the autumn.