David Trump and Jane Beech, Lead Advisers, Coastal Access. The England Coast Path in Devon: Issues and opportunities for improving access from Kingswear to Cremyll (South Devon) and Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth (North Devon).
Minutes:
Jane Beech and David Trump, Lead Advisers on Coastal Access at Natural England were welcomed to the meeting.
Jane Beech, Natural England, updated members on stretches of the England coast path already assessed. Objections and representations on the Lyme Regis to Kingswear section had been received and sent, together with comments by Natural England, to the Planning Inspectorate and Defra. Minehead to Combe Martin (Exmoor) proposals had been published in June and representations and objections, together with comments from Natural England, were also with Defra.
Jane Beech would be dealing with the coastal access process between Cremyll and Kingswear and David Trump had responsibility for the stretch between Combe Martin and Marsland Mouth. A number of sites had been identified by the South West Coast Path Association; Mark Owen, the SWCP Officer; DCC and the Ramblers. These presented areas for discussion and possible issues and opportunities.
In south Devon one of the main considerations would be estuaries. Under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, there is no requirement for the trail to extend up any estuary further than the seaward limit of the estuarial waters, but Natural England has a discretion to propose that the trail should extend as far as the first bridge, over which there is a public right of way or right of access. Natural England would be looking at criteria such as the character of the estuary, the presence of year-round ferries, recreational benefits and the nature and extent of excepted land to make their decisions.
A number of sites have been identified:
1. Estuaries
· River Yealm. There are a number of considerations as the ferry crossing the Yealm is seasonal with limited hours.
· River Erme. Here the estuary has to be waded across at low tide.
· River Avon. The ferry is seasonal with limited hours but an Avon estuary walk already exists.
2. Routes that could potentially be more seawardor off-road.
Possible locations where this could be the case include Cellar Beach, Prawle Point and Stoke Fleming.
3. Routes affected by tidal high water or coastal erosion.
These could include Meadowsfoot Beach, Hallsands and Beesands.
4. Coastal margin matters.
Bantham Ham and Burgh Island had been identified.
5. Permissive access.
The route along Slapton Sands is currently a permissive route.
David Trump outlined a similar set of considerations in North Devon between Combe Martin and Marsland Mouth.
1. Routes that could potentially be more seawardor off-road, balancing the requirement for views and land slippage concerns.
Locations identified are Sandhole Cliff; Penhill Point; Shag Point; Putsborough Sands; Home Farm Marsh (see below) and Fremington Rock.
2. Coastal margin and excepted land matters.
Chivenor; Clovelly (Hobby Drive); Hartland Point; Ilfracombe Tunnels; The Warren and Watermouth Cove; Lantern Hill; and Saunton Sands/Braunton Burrows.
3. Permissive access.
Home Farm Marsh currently has permissive access rights and joins the South West Coast Path.
4. Dealing with unclear routes and road/river crossings.
Locations where a need for resolution had been identified included
Combe Martin; Chesil Cliff House & Saunton; Horsey Island; Instow; Appledore; and Barnstaple.
It was noted that a route at Home Farm Marsh, more seaward, is currently a permissive path joining the SWCP and excluded dogs. Natural England confirmed that this restriction could potentially continue and would be discussed with the landowner as part of overall England Coast Path negotiations.
Concerns were raised about the lack of accessibility to ferries. Natural England was asked to consider sections which mobility scooters could access. Earth bunds in car parks or at beach entrances also restricted access.
Natural England would be having detailed desk top review meetings with DCC.
Initial letters to landowners in South Devon would be sent out in November/December and in December/January to those in the north of the County.
It was resolved to establish a working group to look at a response. Simon Clist; Gordon Guest; Tony Inch; Sue Pudduck and Sarah Slade offered to participate.
Action: Forum Officer to arrange a date.