Decision

Notice by the Secretary of State under section 52 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949: Cleveleys to Pier Head, length CPH5

Updated 6 April 2022

Applies to England

Introduction

On 7 October 2020 Natural England submitted a compendium of coastal access reports relating to the stretch of land between Cleveleys and Pier Head 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 relates only to length CPH5. The proposals within length reports CPH1, CPH2, CPH3, CPH4 and CPH6 are to be determined separately.

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

• a. Cleveleys to Pier Head length report CPH5 – part of Natural England’s compendium of coastal access reports submitted to the Secretary of State on 7 October 2020;
• 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 21 January 2021.

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 length report CPH5, 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 at Annex A to this notice. Where proposals are approved with modification, the additional conclusions and observations of the Secretary of State in relation to the representations are set out at Annex B 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 21 January 2021; and
• c. Summary of other representations, and Natural England’s comments on those representations, which it sent to the Secretary of State on 21 January 2021.

Natural England has also made available here:

• d. Cleveleys to Pier Head - 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.

Full Representations

Representation No. MCA/CPH(W)/R/1/1557

Name of representation:

Historic England

Length Report and route section(s):

Whole stretch (Secretary of State comments pertain to length CPH5 only)

Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:

Secretary of State notes Historic England’s confirmation that this length would have little or no impact on the historic environment.

Representation No. MCA/CPH(W)/R/2/1629

Name of representation:

The Ramblers

Length Report and route section(s):

Whole stretch (Secretary of State comments pertain to length CPH5 only)

Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:

Secretary of State notes Natural England’s reasoning for its use of directions. Considers that directions have been applied appropriately and with due consideration to walkers, wildlife and other interested parties.

Representation No. MCA/CPH/W/R/4/0016

Name of representation:

Open Spaces Society

Report chapter and route section(s):

Whole stretch (Secretary of State comments pertain to length CPH5 only)

Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:

Secretary of State notes Natural England’s reasoning for its use of directions. Considers that directions have been applied appropriately and with due consideration to walkers, wildlife and other interested parties.

Other Representations

Representation No. MCA/CPH(W)/R/3/1678

Name of representation:

Cycling UK

Report chapter and route section(s):

Whole stretch (Secretary of State comments pertain to length CPH5 only)

Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:

Secretary of State notes that the provision of improved cycling infrastructure is outside the remit of the England Coast Path Project.

Representation No. MCA/CPH(W)/R/5/1681

Name of representation:

Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service (MEAS)

Report chapter and route section(s):

Whole stretch (Secretary of State comments pertain to length CPH5 only)

Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:

Secretary of State welcomes the representation which is supportive of the conclusions of the Habitats Regulations Assessment undertaken by Natural England.

Representation No. MCA/CPH(W)/R/6/0305

Name of representation:

United Utilities

Report chapter and route section(s):

Whole stretch (Secretary of State comments pertain to length CPH5 only)

Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:

Secretary of State notes that there is no significant risk to United Utilities’ assets or operations. Notes that the relevant Access Authorities will discuss establishment further with owners and occupiers.