Notice by the Secretary of State under section 52 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949: Eastbourne to Camber, length EBC2
Updated 28 March 2024
Applies to England
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Introduction
On 27 February 2020 Natural England submitted a compendium of coastal access reports relating to the stretch of land between Eastbourne and Camber 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 EBC2. The proposals for EBC1 and EBC3 to EBC6 were determined on 1 October 2021. Proposals for EBC7 will be determined separately.
In reaching a determination under section 52 of the 1949 Act the Secretary of State has considered:
a. Eastbourne to Camber length report EBC2 – part of Natural England’s coastal access report compendium for Eastbourne to Camber submitted to the Secretary of State on 27 February 2020;
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)(c) of the Schedule, the reports given to the Secretary of State by the appointed person in respect of the objections which the appointed person determined to be admissible objections;
e. 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 4 June 2021.
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 EBC2.
In the respects specified in the objections set out at Annex A to this notice, the Secretary of State determines that the proposals set out in the coastal access report do not fail to strike a “fair balance” as a result of the matters specified in the objections. The Secretary of State therefore approves the proposals set out in the coastal access report so far as they relate to those parts of the route (and associated coastal margin) to which those objections relate.
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. The reports on the objections given to them by the appointed person;
C. 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 4 June 2021; and
D. Summary of other representations, and Natural England’s comments on those representations, which it sent to the Secretary of State on 4 June 2021.
Natural England has also made available here:
E. Eastbourne to Camber: the compendium of coastal access reports.
Annex A: objections which did not fail to strike a ‘fair balance’
Objection Reference: MCA/EBC2/O/1/EBC1145
The land in the report to which the objection relates lies within sections EBC-2-S024 to EBC-2-S027 (as shown on Map 2a). Secretary of State notes the consideration and recommendation of the appointed person in regard to this objection and approves the proposals in relation to route sections EBC-2-S024 to EBC-2-S027.
Objection Reference: MCA/EBC2/O/2/EBC0721
The land in the report to which the objection relates lies within sections EBC-2-S032 to EBC-2-S033 (as shown on Map 2b). Secretary of State notes the consideration and recommendation of the appointed person in regard to this objection and approves the proposals in relation to route sections EBC-2-S032 to EBC-2-S033.
Objection Reference: MCA/EBC2/O/5/EBC0115
The land in the report to which the objection relates lies within sections EBC-2-S002 to EBC-2-S006 (as shown on Map 2a). Secretary of State notes the consideration and recommendation of the appointed person in regard to this objection and approves the proposals in relation to route sections EBC-2-S002 to EBC-2-S006.
Objection References: MCA/EBC2/O/11/EBC0590, MCA/EBC2/O/16/EBC0286, MCA/EBC2/O/19/EBC0483, MCA/EBC2/O/3/EBC1839, MCA/EBC2/O/4/EBC0900, MCA/EBC2/O/6/EBC1144, MCA/EBC2/O/7/EBC1602, MCA/EBC2/O/8/EBC1822, MCA/EBC2/O/9/EBC0405, MCA/EBC2/O/10/EBC1975 MCA/EBC2/O/12/EBC1585, MCA/EBC2/O/13/EBC0789, MCA/EBC2/O/14/EBC1495, MCA/EBC2/O/15/EBC1205, MCA/EBC2/O/18/EBC2348, MCA/EBC2/O/21/EBC1076 and MCA/EBC2/O/22/EBC0530
The land in the report to which the objections relates lies within sections EBC-2-S092, EBC-2-S099 to EBC-2-S100 and EBC-2-S070 to EBC-2-S073 (as shown on Maps 2d and 2c). Secretary of State notes the consideration and recommendation of the appointed person in regard to this objection and approves the proposals in relation to route sections EBC-2-S092, EBC-2-S099 to EBC-2-S100 and EBC-2-S070 to EBC-2-S073.
Objection Reference: MCA/EBC2/O/17/EBC1826 and MCA/EBC2/O/20/EBC1045
The land in the report to which the objection relates lies within sections EBC-2-S049 to EBC-2-S054 (as shown on Map 2b). Secretary of State notes the consideration and recommendation of the appointed person in regard to this objection and approves the proposals in relation to route sections EBC-2-S049 to EBC-2-S054.
Annex B: 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/EBC Stretch/R/2/EBC1939
Name of representation:
Historic England
Length Report and route section(s):
Whole stretch (note that Secretary of State’s comments pertain to length EBC2 only)
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes Natural England’s assurance that the access authority will liaise with relevant officers as appropriate.
Representation MCA/EBC2/R/3/EBC0018
Name of representation:
The Ramblers
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 2, EBC-2-S053 and EBC-2-S074
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 and the option of walking along the beach would be clear to walkers without additional signage.
Representation MCA/EBC2/R/5/EBC0015
Name of representation:
Open Spaces Society
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 2, EBC-2-S053 and EBC-2-S074
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 and the option of walking along the beach would be clear to walkers without additional signage.
Representation No MCA/EBC Stretch/R/3/EBC2338 and MCA/EBC Stretch/R/1/EBC2336
Name of representation:
Two private individuals
Length Report and route section(s):
Whole stretch (note that Secretary of State’s comments pertain to length EBC2 only)
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals and notes existing cycling facilities will be retained.
Representation MCA/EBC2/R/4/EBC1826 and MCA/EBC2/R/7/EBC1045
Name of representation:
Two private individuals
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 2, EBC-2-S049 to EBC-2-S054
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 and consistent with the approach set out in the Coastal Access Scheme.
Representation MCA/EBC2/R/4/EBC1826
Name of representation:
Private individual
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 2, EBC-2-S049 to EBC-2-S054
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 and consistent with the approach set out in the Coastal Access Scheme. Notes the issue regarding change of ownership but is satisfied Natural England fully consulted interested parties following the approach set out in the Coastal Access Scheme.
Representation MCA/EBC2/R/1/EBC2337
Name of representation:
Bespoke Cycle Group
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 2, EBC-2-S002 to EBC 2-S054
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State notes the England Coast Path is principally a walking route, but welcomes Natural England’s offer to discuss future improvements to cycle paths where they link with the trail.
Representation MCA/EBC2/R/2/EBC0295
Name of representation:
Private individual
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 2, EBC-2-S053 and EBC-2-S096
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Notes the representation and Natural England’s comments. Is satisfied the proposed route is appropriate and consistent with the approach set out in the Coastal Access Scheme.
Representation MCA/EBC Stretch/R/4/EBC008
Name of representation:
Disabled Ramblers
Length Report and route section(s):
Whole stretch (note that Secretary of State’s comments pertain to length EBC2 only)
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State encourages Natural England’s commitment to work with the access authority to increase the accessibility of the trail where possible and avoid infrastructure being the limiting factor for users with mobility issues.
Representation MCA/EBC2/R/6/EBC1216
Name of representation:
Private individual
Length Report and route section(s):
Length Report 2, EBC-2-OA001
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State note the representation and Natural England’s comments. Is satisfied the proposals are appropriate but encourages Natural England’s commitment to share details of the proposed signage.