Notice by the Secretary of State under section 52 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949: Eastbourne to Camber, length EBC7 (MR1)
Updated 28 March 2024
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coastal-access-section-52-notice-for-eastbourne-to-camber/notice-by-the-secretary-of-state-under-section-52-of-the-national-parks-and-access-to-the-countryside-act-1949-eastbourne-to-camber-length-ebc7-mr1
Introduction
On 27 February 2020, Natural England submitted reports to the Secretary of State setting out the proposals for improved access to the coast between Eastbourne and Camber under section 51 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (the 1949 Act) pursuant to its duty under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.
This determination only relates to length EBC7. Proposals for lengths EBC1, EBC3, EBC4, EBC5 and EB6 were approved on 1st October 2021 and EBC2 was approved on 6th April 2022, covering the remainder of the route.
In reaching a determination under section 52 of the 1949 Act the Secretary of State has considered:
a. Eastbourne to Camber length report – 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)(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 in March 2020
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 EBC7.
The Secretary of State determines that the proposals set out in the coastal access report do not fail to strike a “fair balance”. 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).
Where proposals are approved in full, 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 in October 2022; and
c. Summary of other representations, and Natural England’s comments on those representations, which it sent to the Secretary of State in October 2022.
Natural England has also made available here:
d. Eastbourne to Camber - 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 number: EBC-MR1/R/1/EBC0018
Organisation / person making representation:
The Ramblers
Route section(s) specific to this representation:
EBC-MR1 Map 2 and Map 3 in the vicinity of Rye and the Rother Estuary, East Sussex
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State acknowledges the representation submitted by The Ramblers, which expresses support for Natural England’s proposals to withdraw parts of the EBC7 coastal access report and conduct a fresh alignment exercise for a continuous route around the Rother estuary at Rye.
Representation number: EBC-MR1/R/2/EBC0136
Organisation / person making representation:
BDB Pitmans LLP for and on behalf of Rye Golf Club Limited
Route section(s) specific to this representation:
The land shown on EBC-MR1, Map 2 as EBC-7-2012 to 2025 and the landward margin shown hatched in mauve
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation :
The Secretary of State acknowledges the representation submitted by Rye Golf Club Limited, expressing their support for the removal of a part of the proposed coast path and welcoming the efforts to conduct a fresh alignment exercise. The Secretary of State recognizes the club’s desire for further modifications and notes that Natural England will carefully evaluate the proposed alternative route, along with other options, during their assessment process.
Representation number: MCA//EBC7/R7/EBC0157
Organisation / person making representation:
Sussex Wildlife Trust - Henri Brocklebank
Report map reference:
Directions Map EBC7A
Route section(s) specific to this representation:
EBC-7-S001 to EBC-7-S004
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation :
The Secretary of State acknowledges the representation submitted by Sussex Wildlife Trust, taking into account the concerns raised regarding habitat sensitivity and access. The Secretary of State supports Natural England’s proposed signage measures, including the provision of advisory signs, “No Access” roundels, and waymarking signs to manage access restrictions on the ground. The Secretary of State supports Natural England’s decision not to include the improvement of the existing boardwalk in the current proposals, based on the conclusions of the conservation assessments.