Notice by the Secretary of State under section 52 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949: Aldeburgh to Hopton-on-Sea, lengths AHS1 to AHS3, AHS5 and AHS6
Published 23 June 2022
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2022
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Introduction
On 29 January 2020 Natural England submitted a compendium of coastal access reports relating to the stretch of land between Aldeburgh and Hopton-on-Sea to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under section 51 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (“the 1949 Act”), pursuant to its duty under section 296(1) of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (“the 2009 Act”).
This determination only relates to length AHS1 to AHS3, AHS5 and AHS6. Proposals for AHS4 will be determined separately.
In reaching a determination under section 52 of the 1949 Act the Secretary of State has considered:
a. Aldeburgh and Hopton-on-Sea length report AHS1 to AHS3, AHS5 and AHS6 – part of Natural England’s coastal access report compendium for Eastbourne to Camber submitted to the Secretary of State on 28 February 2022;
b. in accordance with paragraph 16(1)(d) of the Schedule, representations made by a person within paragraph 2(2)(b) to (f) of the Schedule and the summary of other representations made, and Natural England’s comments on those representations which it sent to the Secretary of State on 28 February 2022.
In this notice –
(a) “objection” means an objection about the coastal access report which is made under paragraph 3 of Schedule 20 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009; and
(b) “representation” means a representation about the coastal access report which is made under paragraph 7 of Schedule 20 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.
Secretary of State’s approval of coastal access proposals
The Secretary of State has determined to approve those proposals for the route and associated coastal margin as set out in length report AHS1 to AHS3, AHS5 and AHS6.
The additional conclusions and observations of the Secretary of State in relation to the representations are set out at Annex A to this notice.
The Secretary of State has made available at www.gov.uk:
A. a copy of this notice;
B. Representations made by a person within paragraph 2(2)(b) to (f) of the Schedule, and Natural England’s comments on those representations, which it sent to the Secretary of State on 28 February 2022; and
C. Summary of other representations, and Natural England’s comments on those representations, which it sent to the Secretary of State on 28 February 2022.
Natural England has also made available here:
D. Aldeburgh to Hopton-on-Sea: the compendium of coastal access reports.
Annex A: conclusions and observations on representations
The Secretary of State has considered, in relation to the coastal access report, the following representations made under paragraph 7 of the Schedule.
Representation No MCA/AHS Stretch/R/3/AHS0857
Name of representation:
Suffolk County Council
Length Report and route section(s):
Whole stretch (note that Secretary of State’s comments pertain to length AHS1 to AHS3, AHS5 and AHS6 only)
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals. Notes most of the issues raised relate to AHS4 but that mitigation in AHS2 will be maintained by a Natural England reserve manager.
Representation No MCA/AHS Stretch/R/1/AHS0862
Name of representation:
Ramblers Association
Length Report and route section(s):
Whole stretch (note that Secretary of State’s comments pertain to length AHS1 to AHS3, AHS5 and AHS6 only)
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals. Conclusion and observation on length-specific comments will appear under the relevant representation.
Representation No MCA/AHS Stretch/R/2/AHS0891
Name of representation:
RSPB
Length Report and route section(s):
Whole stretch (note that Secretary of State’s comments pertain to length AHS1 to AHS3, AHS5 and AHS6 only)
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State notes Natural England’s comments and is content the Habitats Regulations Assessment has been applied appropriately.
Representation No MCA/AHS1/R/4/AHS0873
Name of representation:
Suffolk Local Access Forum
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 1, AHS-1-S001 to AHS-1-S042
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals. Notes a temporary route will be in place during works at Sizewell to ensure continuity of the route. Notes Suffolk Local Access Forum’s suggestion to EDF regarding the width of the new flood defences.
Representation No MCA/AHS1/R/5/AHS0862
Name of representation:
Ramblers Association
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 1, AHS-1-S001 to AHS-1-S042
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals.
Representation No MCA/AHS1/R/6/AHS0891
Name of representation:
RSPB
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 1, AHS-1-S001 to AHS-1-S042
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes confirmation the RSPB is content with the route choice. Notes Natural England’s comments regarding access exclusions in AHS1.
Representation No MCA/AHS1/R/2/AHS1480, MCA/AHS1/R/1/AHS1469, MCA/AHS1/R/3/AHS1481 and MCA/AHS1/R/7/AHS1484
Name of representation:
Friston Parish Council, private individual, private individual and three private individuals
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 1, AHS-1-S001 to AHS-1-S042
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals. Notes a temporary route will be provided to ensure continuity during any future construction work for Sizewell C. Is satisfied Natural England has accounted for East Anglia One North and East Anglia Two and notes this was omitted from the Overview.
Representation No MCA/AHS1/R/8/AHS0475
Name of representation:
Thorpeness Coastal Futures Group
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 1, AHS-1-S013 to AHS-1-S021
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State notes the representation and Natural England’s comments. Is satisfied the proposed route is appropriate to provide a more accessible walking surface and protect the vegetated shingle, but welcomes confirmation the existing routes along the beach will remain unaffected.
Representation No MCA/AHS2/R/3/AHS0873
Name of representation:
Suffolk Local Access Forum
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 2, AHS-2-S001 to AHS-2-S064
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals. Notes a temporary route will be in place during works at Sizewell to ensure continuity of the route. Notes Suffolk Local Access Forum’s suggestion to EDF regarding the width of the new flood defences.
Representation No MCA/AHS2/R/3/AHS0873
Name of representation:
Ramblers Association
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 2, AHS-2-S005 to AHS-2-S064
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals. Notes Natural England’s comments regarding the route alignment between AHS-2-S028 and AHS-2-S047.
Representation No MCA/AHS2/R/5/AHS0891
Name of representation:
RSPB
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 2, Map AHS 2e (including RSPB Dingle – South)
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State notes confirmation the RSPB will not be responsible for maintaining new access between AHS-2-S058 and AHS-2-S064. Is satisfied the infrastructure proposed in this area is appropriate but welcomes the opportunity to explore additional measures with Suffolk County Council should this prove necessary in future. Notes Natural England’s comments regarding signage and monitoring.
Representation No MCA/AHS2/R/6/AHS0891
Name of representation:
RSPB
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 2, AHS-2-S007 to AHS-2-S021
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes confirmation that signage encouraging walkers to access the beachfront in specific places will be installed in situ. Welcomes Natural England’s commitment to consult with all affected owners and occupiers before implementing roll back in this area and notes comments regarding monitoring.
Representation No MCA/AHS2/R/9/AHS0857
Name of representation:
Suffolk County Council
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 2, AHS-2-S001 to AHS-2-S064
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals. Notes Natural England’s comments regarding maintenance funding.
Representation No MCA/AHS2/R/7/AHS1484, MCA/AHS2/R/1/AHS1480 and MCA/AHS2/R/2/AHS1481
Name of representation:
Two private individuals, private individual and private individual.
vLength Report and route section(s):
Length Report 2, AHS-2-S001 to AHS-2-S064
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals. Notes a temporary route will be provided to ensure continuity during any future construction work for Sizewell C. Is satisfied Natural England has accounted for East Anglia One North and East Anglia Two and notes this was omitted from the Overview.
Representation No MCA/AHS2/R/8/AHS1485
Name of representation:
The Woodland Trust
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 2, AHS-2-S048
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State notes Natural England’s reassurance regarding the proposed route at Greyfriar’s Wood. Is satisfied the trail will not increase pressure on the ancient woodland but encourages the access authority to note comments regarding the installation of infrastructure.
Representation No MCA/AHS2/R/11/AHS1458
Name of representation:
Disabled Ramblers
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 2, AHS-2-S001 to AHS-2-S064
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes Natural England’s commitment to increase accessibility of the trail where practicable. Encourages Natural England to facilitate discussions between the Disabled Ramblers and Suffolk County Council regarding the possibility of a signed accessible informal alternative route.
Representation No MCA/AHS2/R/10/AHS1422
Name of representation:
EDF Energy
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 2, AHS-2-S003 to AHS-2-S007
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State notes Natural England’s clarification regarding the coastal margin and welcomes offer to supply appropriate signage. Notes next steps outlined for Suffolk County Council to liaise with EDF to ensure establishment of the trail is consistent with EDF’s operational requirements.
Representation No MCA/AHS3/R/1/AHS0862
Name of representation:
Ramblers Association
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 3, AHS-3-S001 to AHS-3-S080
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals.
Representation No MCA/AHS3/R/2/AHS0891
Name of representation:
RSPB
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 3, AHS-3-S001 to AHS-3-S080
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State notes Natural England’s comments and is satisfied the proposals are appropriate. Welcomes commitment to monitor the effectiveness of mitigation and encourages future discussion between Natural England and RSPB. Notes the proposals include surfacing work on route section AHS-3-S003.
Representation No MCA/AHS3/R/3/AHS1458
Name of representation:
Disabled Ramblers
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 3, AHS-3-S001 to AHS-3-S080
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes Natural England’s commitment to increase accessibility of the trail where practicable. Encourages Natural England to facilitate discussions between the Disabled Ramblers and Suffolk County Council regarding the possibility of a signed accessible informal alternative route.
Representation No MCA/AHS5/R/3/AHS0862
Name of representation:
Ramblers Association
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 5, AHS-5-S001 to AHS-5-S038
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals.
Representation No MCA/AHS5/R/2/AHS0873
Name of representation:
Suffolk Local Access Forum
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 5, AHS-5-S001 to AHS-5-S038
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals.
Representation No MCA/AHS5/R/1/AHS0119
Name of representation:
East Suffolk Council
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 5, AHS-5-S001 to AHS-5-S038
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals and notes confirmation that the trail can be varied to accommodate future changes along the proposed route.
Representation MCA/AHS5/R/4/AHS1458
Name of representation:
Disabled Ramblers
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 5, AHS-5-S001 to AHS-5-S038
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes Natural England’s commitment to increase accessibility of the trail where practicable. Notes the desire to keep the existing gate at Gunton Warren to limit access by quad bikes and motor bikes. Encourages Natural England to facilitate discussions between the Disabled Ramblers and Suffolk County Council regarding dropped kerbs at the car park adjacent to route sections AHS-5-S037 and AHS-5-S038.
Representation No MCA/AHS6/R/1/AHS0119
Name of representation:
East Suffolk Council
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 6, AHS-6-S001 to AHS-6-S041
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals and notes confirmation that the trail can be varied to accommodate future changes along the proposed route.
Representation No MCA/AHS6/R/1/AHS0119
Name of representation:
Ramblers Association
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 6, AHS-6-S001 to AHS-6-S041
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals and notes confirmation that the trail can be varied to accommodate future changes along the proposed route.
Representation MCA/AHS6/R/4/AHS1458
Name of representation:
Disabled Ramblers
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 5, AHS-5-S001 to AHS-5-S038
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes Natural England’s commitment to increase accessibility of the trail where practicable. Encourages Natural England to facilitate discussions between the Disabled Ramblers and Suffolk County Council regarding the possibility of a signed accessible informal alternative route.