Coastal access in Cornwall: Penzance to St Mawes
Find out about the progress of improving coastal access including maps, process and timing in Cornwall.
Map of the stretch
Natural England has begun to investigate how to improve coastal access along a 100 km stretch of the Cornish coast between Penzance and St Mawes.
Officers from Cornwall Council are providing Natural England with expert local advice and helping to make sure there is full consultation with local interests during the development of improvement of coastal access rights.
Stage of progress
On 7 July 2021, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs approved the remaining sections of coast path between Penzance and St Mawes.
Notice of appeal: Kennack Sands
On 1 June 2023, an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State announced their decision in an appeal under section 38 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and Schedule 20 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.
This appeal related to the carrying out of establishment works at Kennack Sands, Cornwall in the absence of an agreement with the owner or occupier of the land. Kennack Sands are part of the section PSM 6: Devil’s Frying Pan to Dolor Point.
The notice of appeal is still available to view.
You can see the current status of the collection in the table.
| Report number and title | Date of approval |
|---|---|
| PSM 1: Penzance Station to East Marazion | 23 April 2020 |
| PSM 2: East Marazion to Sea Meads | 23 April 2020 |
| PSM 3: Sea Meads to Loe Bar | 23 April 2020 |
| PSM 4: Loe Bar to Mullion Cove | 23 April 2020 |
| PSM 5: Mullion Cove to Devil’s Frying Pan | 23 April 2020 |
| PSM 6: Devil’s Frying Pan to Dolor Point | 23 April 2020 |
| PSM 7: Dolor Point to Porthoustock | 7 July 2021 |
| PSM 8: Porthoustock to Carne | 7 July 2021 |
| PSM 9: Carne to St Mawes Pier | 7 July 2021 |
Next steps
Stage 5: Open
Work is now underway to prepare the new stretch of coast path for public use. The first step is to contact owners and occupiers of the affected land to discuss the design and location of any new infrastructure which is needed, such as signs and gates.
When preparations are complete, new access rights will come into force along the route and adjoining spreading room. For further advice see the detailed guide below.
Find out more about coastal access
See information about all stretches in preparation around England’s coast.
The coastal access scheme gives details of the process being followed to improve access to the coast.
Contact the coastal access team
Contact Natural England with any comments, suggestions or queries you have about improving coastal access.
Email: southwestcoastalaccess@naturalengland.org.uk
Telephone: 0208 026 7602
Natural England
Coastal Access Delivery Team (South West)
Polwhele
Truro
TR4 9AD
See the map below for information about progress on improving coastal access in other parts of the South West
Updates to this page
Published 28 October 2016Last updated 28 June 2023 + show all updates
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Updated the page with information about the Planning Inspector's decision on the notice of appeal regarding Kennack Sands.
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We have added a call for action for responses to the notice of appeal about the carrying out of establishment works at Kennack Sands, Cornwall.
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Page updated to show the remaining sections of the stretch have been approved.
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Added table showing the reports which make up the collection. Page updated to show that 6 of the 9 reports have received Secretary of State approval.
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Page updated to show this stretch is now at stage 4.
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Removed the sentence giving a date for when access is expected to be ready. Publication of the report is expected in autumn 2019.
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Dates amended: publication of report now expected in 2019. Access expected to be ready in 2020.
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Page updated as stretch has moved to Stage 2 and 3: Develop and Propose
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First published.