Skip to content

Agenda item

Minutes:

Richard Walton, Public Rights of Way Manager, DCC, gave an update.

 

Staffing

The Senior Public Rights of Way post was being readvertised with a closing date of 14 February.  The vacant Assistant Officer post would be covered by creating a full-time post when one of the part-time Technical Officers retires in March and increasing hours of other part-time staff.  There was currently a high volume of work and Richard Walton apologised if he was slow to respond.

 

England Coast Path

Grant aid had been confirmed for two projects. 

·         Torcross (Stokenham FP 29).  Stone steps would be reinstated together with cliff stabilisation.  The indication is that work would commence at the end of February with a £127,000 grant awarded.

·         Georgeham (FP 18).  A beach ‘causeway’ path would be reinstated, with a £22,000 grant awarded.  The intention is for this to be completed prior to Easter.

Both projects were weather and contract dependent.

 

Capital improvements

A £1.5m spend was projected on capital improvements to the end of March.

 

Definitive Map Review

The team was on track to complete all parishes before 1 January 2026 cut-off date.  The process was approximately 90% complete.  With regard to the cut-off date the PROW team was liaising closely with interested groups e.g. the British Horse Society, Ramblers’ and Trail Riders’ Fellowship. DCC officer advice includes placing focus on more significant claims which have a higher chance of success.  Some organisations were keen to submit all possible claims.  Looking ahead, there will be a balance between quality and quantity.

 

A recent FOI request had produced the following statistics:

·         145 Definitive Map Review modifications had been determined;

·         180 applications were undetermined;

·         2 applications were about to be referred to the Planning Inspectorate and;

·         6 applications were with the Planning Inspectorate (for which decisions had just been made on two).

 

The 180 undetermined applications is likely to rise as applications are submitted for the 2026 deadline. It was noted that the legislation allows for an extension to the cut-off date of up to five years but there was no indication as to whether this will be applied.

 

Stover Country Park

A progress meeting with the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) was being held at the end of January to review progress on the development phase and discuss submitting an application in May for the delivery phase.  Cost estimates had risen significantly for some of the restoration works, alongside constraints on match funding with increased competition. This required a review of project outputs, with some works outside the ownership of DCC potentially having to be taken out of the bid, for example the two historic buildings at Stover School.  Initial feedback from the officer at the NLHF is that it will still be a strong project.  If certain proposals do have to be omitted from the NLHF bid, these could potentially be considered as a separate project, utilising extensive information collated as part of the development phase project.    

 

Storm Arwen

The storm had caused issues with fallen trees, surface erosion and damage to structures.  DCC had set up a specific storm response budget and remedial work was being undertaken.

 

Kingswear

A meeting had taken place, at the instigation of the local councillor.  Tino Savvas had been present in his capacity as Area Representative of the South West Coast Path Association.  The group were able to view the erosion on Beacon Road from above, this being the reason for the temporary closure. A Court decision had been made requiring the landowner to do stabilisation works and the road should subsequently be able to re-open to non-vehicular traffic. With regards to Lighthouse Beach, plans for restoring access would be implemented once the designated coastal access rights were publicly available, estimated to be later in 2022.  This would provide the powers to negotiate and if necessary take action to link the footpath to the beach.

 

A request was made for a map when any specific location was being discussed.  This was noted by Richard Walton.

 

2026 cut-off date

The Chair would be attending a meeting of the national Stakeholder Working Group at the end of January, the first meeting for some time.  It was hoped there would be an update on the 2026 date. Whilst legislation allowed for the deadline to be extended, any extension beyond five years would require primary legislation.  Certainty on the date would be helpful.

 

 

 

 


Top