Minimum 6 weeks to get land clearance for AT on private land?

[quote=“Dasonix” post=11178]Ok lets talk reality’s here shall we,

the TOPL (training on private land) dept for Wales and went region consists of 2 people. these poor people have to process all the requests for all the MoD training on their patch.

Remember Land in a national park my not be owned by one of the many Gov quango’s and in the case of the Brecon beacons national park most of the land is privately owned farm land. All these land owners need to be contacted and or paid for their land to be used.[/quote]
The reality is that this is cadets doing a bit of camping and hiking, not MoD/military training, who are in effect just like the hundreds of thousands of other youth group members and private individuals who walk around the British countryside for pleasure. Years ago I and few mates used to go to the Brecons, Dales and Lakes for long weekends walking, camping and a few beers, and never once did we have to get nor seek anyone’s permission or told you can’t do that as you haven’t ticked a box.

The fact we as a cadet organisation ergo having a military connection seems to be overplayed. Is this another instance where we are treated/regarded as the RAF, rather than as cadets?

[quote=“glass half empty 2” post=11182][quote=“Dasonix” post=11178]Ok lets talk reality’s here shall we,

the TOPL (training on private land) dept for Wales and went region consists of 2 people. these poor people have to process all the requests for all the MoD training on their patch.

Remember Land in a national park my not be owned by one of the many Gov quango’s and in the case of the Brecon beacons national park most of the land is privately owned farm land. All these land owners need to be contacted and or paid for their land to be used.[/quote]
The reality is that this is cadets doing a bit of camping and hiking, not MoD/military training, who are in effect just like the hundreds of thousands of other youth group members and private individuals who walk around the British countryside for pleasure. Years ago I and few mates used to go to the Brecons, Dales and Lakes for long weekends walking, camping and a few beers, and never once did we have to get nor seek anyone’s permission or told you can’t do that as you haven’t ticked a box.

The fact we as a cadet organisation ergo having a military connection seems to be overplayed. Is this another instance where we are treated/regarded as the RAF, rather than as cadets?[/quote]

The land owners who’s land you are walking over couldn’t give two hoots about your connections. Also, there’s the consideration of the farming community. DEFRA have a lot of input in order to control issues from the local and mundane to the more serious national (foot and mouth anyone?). They can impose a restriction, via the MoD, to control a local problem.

I think that the important difference is that had you done any sort of damage whilst using public rights of way or exercising a right to roam then you - or your parents - would have been liable to pay for it.

If you take a group of cadets training over public rights of way with permission from the MoD, then you’re insured.

Indemnified, not insured - but your principle is correct.

[quote=“MattB” post=11185]I think that the important difference is that had you done any sort of damage whilst using public rights of way or exercising a right to roam then you - or your parents - would have been liable to pay for it.

If you take a group of cadets training over public rights of way with permission from the MoD, then you’re insured.[/quote]
You would have to go some, on foot, to cause any real damage as an individual or group on a footpath. Even exercising “right to roam” you’d need to be determined to cause real damage on purpose in a small group on foot.

[quote=“talon” post=11157]Don’t blame the Army, blame the MOD. It is just handled through RF brigades. :)[/quote]Don’t blame MoD. It is because of the length of time that a handwritten application took to travel through the Chain of Command when everything went by post. In these days of e-mail and more specifically dedicated IT facilities for the ACO this should be reviewed and brought up to date.