Decision

Notice by the Secretary of State under section 52 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949: Calshot to Gosport (length CCG3)

Updated 11 November 2021

Introduction

On 17 July 2019 Natural England submitted a coastal access report relating to the stretch of land between Calshot and Gosport (“the coastal access report”) 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 report CCG3. The proposals within length reports CCG1 and CCG2 will be determined separately.

In reaching her determination under section 52 of the 1949 Act the Secretary of State has considered:

• a. Calshot to Gosport length report CCG3 - part of Natural England’s coastal access report compendium for Calshot to Gosport submitted to the Secretary of State on 17 July 2019
• b. in accordance with paragraph 16(1)(a) of the Schedule, the objections which the appointed person determined to be admissible objections
• c. in accordance with paragraph 16(1)(b) of the Schedule, Natural England’s comments on the admissible objections which it sent to the Secretary of State
• d. 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 9th October 2019.

In this notice –

(a) “objection” means an objection about the coastal access report which is made under paragraph 3 of the Schedule; and

(b) “representation” means a representation about the coastal access report which is made under paragraph 7 of the Schedule.

Secretary of State’s approval of coastal access proposals

The Secretary of State has determined to approve in full those proposals for the route and associated coastal margin as set out in the coastal access report CCG3, in relation to which no objections were made.

The additional conclusions and observations of the Secretary of State in relation to the representations are set out in Annex A to this notice.

The Secretary of State has made available at www.gov.uk:

• a. a copy of this notice and the reports given to her by the appointed person
• 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 9 October 2019
• c. Summary of other representations, and Natural England’s comments on those representations, which it sent to the Secretary of State on 9 October 2019.

Natural England has also made available here:

• d. Calshot to Gosport - the coastal access report

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/CCG Stretch/R/1/CCG1626

Name of representation: The Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership (Bird Aware Solent)

Report Chapter and route section(s):

• Chapter 3
• Whole stretch – CCG-1-S001 to CCG-3-S077 (Secretary of State comments pertain to length CCG3 only)

Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation: Secretary of State welcomes constructive engagement with Natural England and notes Natural England has worked closely with Bird Aware Solent during development of proposals.

Notes Natural England are satisfied that proposed mitigation measures will prevent disturbance to breeding and overwintering birds.

Encourages continued close working between Natural England and Bird Aware Solent during the implementation stage.

The decision to depict the coastal margin using a magenta coloured wash was taken by Ordnance Survey following detailed discussions with Natural England and a group of national stakeholders in 2014. Natural England are confident that this approach has been working well on the ground since 2014 and they have seen no evidence that depicting the coastal margin in this way is bringing home owners and walkers into conflict.

Representation No. MCA/CCG Stretch/R/2/CCG0019

Name of representation: The Ramblers Association

Report Chapter and route section(s):

• Chapter 3
• Whole stretch – CCG-1-S001 to CCG-3-S077 (Secretary of State comments pertain to length CCG3 only)

Secretary of State welcomes representation and positive consultation with Natural England.

Representation No. MCA/CCG Stretch/R/3/CCG0019

Name of representation: The Ramblers Association

Report Chapter and route section(s):

• Chapter 3
• Whole stretch – CCG-1-S001 to CCG-3-S077 (Secretary of State comments pertain to length CCG3 only)

Secretary of State welcomes representation and notes Natural England would welcome further input as route signage is implemented.

Representation No. MCA/CCG Stretch/R/4/CCG1650

Name of representation: Hampshire Countryside Access Forum

Report Chapter and route section(s):

• Chapter 3
• Whole stretch – CCG-1-S001 to CCG-3-S077 (Secretary of State comments pertain to length CCG3 only)

Secretary of State welcomes positive and constructive engagement between Hampshire Countryside Access Forum and Natural England.

Representation No. MCA/CCG3/R/5/CCG1650

Name of representation: Hampshire Countryside Access Forum

Report Chapter and route section(s):

• Chapter 3
• CCG-3-S019 to CCG-3-S033

Secretary of State notes the reasons set out by Natural England in its report and is satisfied that the most suitable route has been proposed by Natural England.

Representation No. MCA/CCG3/R/3/CCG0019

Name of representation: The Ramblers Association

Report Chapter and route section(s):

• Chapter 3
• CCG-3-S019 to CCG-3-S033

Secretary of State notes the reasons set out by Natural England in its report and is satisfied that the most suitable route has been proposed by Natural England.

Representation No. MCA/CCG3/R/2/CCG0016

Name of representation: The Open Spaces Society

Report Chapter and route section(s):

• Chapter 3
• Map CCG 3a

Secretary of State notes the reasons set out by Natural England and is satisfied that the ferry is the most suitable option for crossing the River Hamble.

Notes that an optional alternative route would not be considered to strike a fair balance in terms of disturbance to wildlife and the significant additional costs associated with maintenance and disturbance mitigation. Notes it is possible to cross the river on foot using existing access rights.

Representation No. MCA/CCG Stretch/R/5/CCG1619

Name of representation: Solent Protection Society

Report Chapter and route section(s):

• Chapter 3
• CCG-3-S001 to CCG-3-S077

Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals. Welcomes Natural England’s commitment to install appropriate interpretation panels to protect wildlife and the environment.

Representation No. MCA/CCG3/R/1/CCG1651

Name of representation: Private individual

Report Chapter and route section(s):

• Chapter 3
• CCG-3-SO67 to CCG-3-S068

Secretary of State notes Natural England’s view and reasoning that a dog restriction is not necessary in this area.

Representation No. MCA/CCG3/R/4/CCG0008

Name of representation: The Disabled Ramblers

Report Chapter and route section(s):

• Chapter 3
• CCG-3-SO11 to CCG-3-S068

Secretary of State notes Natural England has considered accessibility fully during development of proposals, and increased accessibility of the proposed route where possible. Encourages ongoing consultation with The Disabled Ramblers to support Natural England’s approach to increase accessibility along the England Coast Path route.