COTSWOLD farmers and landowners are feeling threatened by the prospect of their estates shrinking under The Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CROW) which gives people new rights to walk on areas of open country and registered common land.

According to Peter Snodgrass, specialist agricultural lawyer at Needham & James's Moreton office, large tracts of Cotswold hills, including beautiful landscapes, have been identified in the draft stages of the mapping process, causing concern among farming communities and landowners in the area.

He explained: "The Act creates a new right of access to open country and registered common land, provided people do not contravene and of the general restrictions, but inevitably there will be disturbance to livestock and possible damage to land and property resulting in loss. Farmers are particularly worried that increased access will give new opportunity for rural crime."

The access provisions of CROW have been challenged under the Human Rights Act, but without success. The argument was that the access deprived farmers of their right to enjoyment of their property but the courts did not think that their human rights had been infringed.

Mr Snodgrass said: "The consultation process continues until September 30 and everyone has the right to comment on the draft maps no matter where they live. Anyone with a legal interest in property or land within the designated area is advised to appeal at this stage, if they believe their land has been wrongly included as registered common land or open country."

Comments must be in writing and the maps can be viewed on www.countryside.gov.uk/access/mapping, or for further information contact the helpline on 0845 100 3298.

"This is another burden on farmers who are already leaving the industry in droves because of the economics of farming," Mr Snodgrass said. "Many farmers of small to medium sized farms are deserting the land for jobs that pay better.

"Some are selling their farms, frequently to city dwellers who have no intention of farming the land themselves and will look for contractors or tenants to do it for them."