THE NATIONAL Trust has confirmed it has no plans to charge people to enter the proposed new 8 Hills Regional Park.
The Trust told the Standard after readers had expressed concerns there might be an entry fee to the park.
It also said the regional park would aim to make it easier for local communities to access the countryside and didn’t intend to introduce time limits on how long people could enjoy the green spaces.
The proposed 8 Hills regional park would be a 47 square mile area on the southern edge of Birmingham, within Bromsgrove District, with the potential to include neighbouring green areas in Birmingham and the Black Country.
The Trust, which has asked the district council to consider it as part of the authority’s local plan policy.
The Trust has set up two meetings to hear people’s views on the proposal, with feedback used to help the Trust to find any challenges and prioritise projects.
The first public meeting will take place today (Friday) between midday and 5pm at Lickey Hills Country Park, with the second tomorrow (Saturday) at The Beaches event in Kings Norton from 10am until 4pm.
A regional park is a large area with several different landowners and uses including farming, recreation and places to live and work.
The Trust said the regional park would not aim to stop new houses from being developed but would look to boost nature and promote walking, cycling and sustainable farming while also fitting in potential new homes.
A plan would be created to ensure any new developments would benefit nature and people’s access to green space.
Canal and river corridors would be enhanced under the plans and funding would be given to local farmers to help them manage the land, ensure the water remains clean and fight climate change.
The Trust has also laid out nine opportunities it aims to follow through with, including creating an 8 Hills trail, a new country park, heritage trails, a seasonal shuttle bus service and a network of quiet lanes on existing country roads.
The consultation will last until Monday, September 4.
Visit www.8-hills-regional-park-spatial-framework.co.uk/ to take part in the consultation online and for more information on 8 Hills Regional Park.
