NEW rules governing public access to 'open country' will come into force in 2005 but interested parties have less than a month to make comments on the proposals.

Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2002 the public has been invited to make comments on the draft maps of 'open country' but the opportunity ends on 2 December.

After that only those with a legal interest in the land can make comment.

The consultation is being organised by the Countryside Agency but Hampshire County Council is taking steps to ensure that as many people as possible have access to the draft maps. Copies of the plans can be seen at www.countryside.gov.uk/access/mapping or at Andover library.

A large slice of countryside at Conholt Down, west of Hurst-bourne Tarrant, has been suggested as 'open country' in addition to two small parcels on the southern side of Andover.

Other small designations are suggested in other parts of the borough.

Comments are invited on whether the land meets the definitions of 'open country', if there are areas which people think have been missed and whether the boundaries have been shown accurately.

The county council's executive member for recreation and heritage, Cllr John Waddington, said: "We strongly advise all landowners in the county to make the most of this opportunity to be involved in the development of the new access maps.

"If the Countryside Agency agrees with the responses re-ceived they will be incorporated into a provisional map which will be published in 2003."

The legislation is sometimes referred to as the 'right to roam' but the council says this label is misleading as a right to roam could bring extensive damage to crops and wildlife in densely cultivated and populated area like Hampshire.

With this in mind specific criteria have been used to ensure a balance between the desire for more access and the need to protect the environment and farmers' livelihoods.