According to the UK Green Party website the Green Party will try to achieve the following if they gain power at the 2010 general election:

CY580 We would open the whole countryside (including common land) to access on foot provided that no damage is done, care is taken not to injure of kill farm stock and other wildlife are not disturbed, and the privacy of those who live in the countryside is respected. Access would be curtailed at times (such as lambing, nesting and breeding seasons, and sensitive wildlife sites), and where there is a definite reason for it to be refused.

CY590 We see local authorities, as custodians of local democracy, being the primary agency for conserving the countryside.
Rural Life

CY600 We recognise that any policy for conserving the countryside hinges around provisions made for people to live and work in rural areas. In particular we will encourage the availability of an adequate stock of reasonable priced, decent housing and work space for those who live and work in the countryside, including low-cost housing to rent and buy in existing small villages and towns.

Tourism in the Country

CY610 We accept that recreation and tourism can benefit a local economy, but would ensure that such activities are ecologically, economically and socially appropriate to local requirements.

I would be interested to hear both positive and negative views on UK Green Party’s Access to the Countryside policies in the comments below?