Agenda item

Presentation by Richard Andrews, Senior Adviser, Coastal Access (Devon, Cornwall and Exmoor), Natural England.  Questions and discussion.  See report here

Richard Andrew, Senior Adviser Coastal Access (Devon and Cornwall) with Natural England gave a presentation on the Kingswear to Lyme Regis coastal access report.

The report was divided into nine chapters, each covering a section of the coast (68 miles in total).

Natural England had written to all landowners along the trail and in the coastal margin.  There were 2000 landowners within the coastal area; 400 adjacent to spreading room and 200 with land on the trail or in the coastal margin.

The trail had not been walked and NE had looked at the current infrastructure and information from the SW Coast Path Association, Devon County Council, Torbay Council, the National Trust and other groups.  There were no realignments from the existing SWCP route.

Specific alternative routes had been identified at Man Sands, to avoid times of flooding, and along the Exe Estuary trail when the ferry is not running.

Rollback identified areas where the coast can move back in negotiation with landowners when the trail erodes but the revised route would not need to go to the Secretary of State.  The coastal margin is the area between the trail and the sea, and landward at discretion.

Natural England had used 25 and 50 year data from the Environment Agency and had been in discussions with authority wardens and rangers and others regarding particular issues.  Along the coastal margin there is reduced liability for landowners, below that of trespass.

There will be restrictions on access by foot at Dawlish Warren due to conservation reasons.  The proposal will mirror the voluntary exclusion zone being proposed at Dawlish for the Exe Estuary and will be reviewed after five years.  The other exclusion is on the Otter estuary on health and safety grounds due to mud flats and salt marsh.

The report, published on 30 March, has an eight week consultation period.  Anyone can make representation on the statutory form and these will be sent to Defra.  Those landowners affected can object and these forms will go to Defra and the Planning Inspectorate to determine whether the objection is valid.  Once due process has been followed, the Secretary of State can approve with or without changes.

Where an area needs rollback the trail will move slowly back as there is erosion.  Comment was made that from the establishment and maintenance cost perspective it would be best to do it once, on a proper basis.  Mr Andrews replied that if a new gate is needed it may go back further.  No decisions are made on where a future route will go; it is a principle rather than a line on a map.

Where there are multiple representations about a particular site, it was confirmed that these will be summarised and a statement made about the number of representations.

It was suggested that NE specify the Lower Ferry in Dartmouth in the report, rather than stating ferry.

It was suggested that accessibility could be improved.  Many coastal car parks include earth bunds which deter access.  Sections of uneven ground could still be suitable for scooters and wheelchairs.  It was confirmed that discussions had taken place with local people, rangers and local authorities.  Funding was limited.  The DCAF was advised to include specific proposals for improvements in its comments on the next stages.

The poor ferry access, via steps, at Starcross was mentioned.  The DCAF was advised to take this up with the access authority.

The Forum noted that the budget for this stretch was just under £20,000 for all work which appeared insignificant.  It was confirmed that as this route followed the SWCP costs were minimal and were either for new gates or interpretation boards.

It was agreed it would be complicated and confusing if there was no alignment between mandatory and voluntary exclusions at Dawlish Warren, put in place under coastal access and other legislation by Natural England and Teignbridge District Council.

It was noted that there was no roll-back at Ladram Bay and elsewhere along the East Devon coast. This would be a matter to put in the representations.

It was clarified that where the existing coast path is on a permissive route this would become the England Coastpath and a landowner could not withdraw the permissive route.

Natural England would discuss maintenance with the local authorities, particularly on new routes.

In terms of progress elsewhere, Minehead to Combe Martin would be published on 15 June - delayed due to purdah.  Investigations on the next stretches from Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth and Kingswear to Cremyll would commence Stage 1 (investigation) in June.

The closing date for the consultation was 25 May at 5 p.m.  Members were asked to provide any comments by 5 May.

Action:  Members to submit comments to the Forum Officer.