LANDOWNERS and farmers have reacted angrily to Government plans for a statutory right to roam and are threatening legal action over the open access plans.

The National Farmers' Union has expressed disappointment at the Government's U-turn over the right to roam, following a camapaign led by Pendle MP Gordon Prentice.

But a spokesman for the Country Landowners' Association claimed the decision would "destroy the goodwill of the countryside."

The NFU said the new measures would impose additonal burdens on farmers already facing costs from environmental and other legislation.

Spokesman Veronica Waller said: "The plans place great importance on recreational need, but do not help farmers and growers meet the increased costs of measures to protect their livestock or local habitats. "We are also concerned that they lay down what is expected of farmers, but with few details on the responsibilities and duties of walkers. We believe voluntary agreements would have been the best way forward."

The Duke of Westminster claims to have opened up hundreds acres of his Bowland estate to walkers in recent years.

A spokesman at his estate office said he would not be responding until the implications of the bill had been considered. The Rt Hon Ralph Assheton, the son of Lord Clitheroe, also said he wanted to study the proposals before commenting.

A spokesman for the Country Landowners' Association said he was "extremely disappointed" that the Government was enforcing a statutory solution, then asking for the goodwill of landowners in implementing it.

"This decision is nothing more than the expropriation of private land rights and we would advise other owners of private property to take note," he said.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.