Englefield Estate invaded by Right to Roam protesters

Around 150 people dressed as colourful animals descended upon Englefield Estate in a protest against countryside access restrictions.

Englefield is owned by former Newbury MP and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Richard Benyon.

Protesters from the Right to Roam Campaign, who entered Englefield on Sunday, August 7, called upon Lord Benyon to open the estate to the public and extend access for everyone to green space across England.

In response to the incident, Englefield released the following statement: “Each year, we welcome thousands of people to access large parts of the Englefield Estate over and above formal public rights of way.

“This includes large areas of woodland access and many miles of footpaths that we have created.

“We actively encourage people to experience the health and wellbeing benefits of nature and the great outdoors.”

Lord Benyon’s ministerial role puts him in charge of the public’s access to nature, which is why protesters chose Englefield as the site of their peaceful demonstration.

Only eight per cent of England’s land currently has free access, which is something the campaign wishes to change.

Last year, Mr Benyon was involved in a review commissioned by the Treasury into access to nature, but this review has since been quashed and no findings from it will be released.

The Right to Roam twitter account tweeted about the protest: “When this land was enclosed in 1802, the commoners were removed along with their culture of folk dances and songs.

“Just like the land's biodiversity, it was replaced by the monoculture of aristocracy; whose wealth was bolstered by colonial exploitation.

“It's time to bring back the commoners to the commons. Right to Roam organised this mass trespass as a joyous celebration of nature and healing.

“We will continue to trespass across England to demand the full Right to Roam, just like Scotland has had since 2003.”