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Natural England publishes report to the Secretary of State proposing improved public access to 30Km of coast at Weymouth Bay in Dorset.

A report setting out proposals for the first stretch of the England Coast Path between Lulworth and Portland have been submitted by Natural England to the Secretary of State today (Tuesday 22nd March). The publication marks the start of the eight-week period for formal representations and objections.

Anyone can make representations to Natural England about the report.

Owners and occupiers of affected land may make formal objections about the report on specified grounds, which will be considered by a Planning Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State.
All representations and objections must be received by Natural England no later than midnight on Tuesday 17th May 2011.

A copy of the report and the forms for making representations and objections are available on Natural England’s website at www.naturalengland.org.uk/coastalaccess

The Secretary of State will make a decision about the report after all representations and objections have been considered. Establishment of the new route will not begin until her decision is made.
This first coastal access report has been drawn up in partnership with Dorset County Council and follows extensive discussions with land owners, tenants and local organisations and full public consultation on the draft proposals.

The report proposes several key improvements to the existing coast path at Weymouth Bay:
• The existing South West Coast Path would move closer to the sea in several places.
• Where people currently enjoy access to the world-famous areas of beach, cliff and other coastal land on this part of the Purbeck Coast with the permission of the land owner, for the first time there would be secure statutory rights of public access.
• The new route would be able to ‘roll back’ as the cliffs erode or slip, solving long-standing difficulties with maintaining a continuous route around the slumping cliffs between Weymouth and Lulworth Cove.

The report estimates that physical preparation of the new route will cost approximately £22,000, with approximately £18,000 needed each year to maintain it.
The new route will be ready in time for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – providing greater access for the many people expected to watch the Olympic sailing events that will be held around the Weymouth area.
Work to prepare proposals for the England Coast Path on five additional stretches of coast will start from April this year.

Notes to editors:

1.      Natural England expects to start work on proposals for 5 more stretches of coast during Spring 2011. Discussions are already underway with the local access authorities in:
•       Cumbria,
•       Kent,
•       Norfolk, 
•       Somerset and
•       Durham, Hartlepool + Sunderland

2.      About Natural England
-       Natural England is the government’s independent advisor on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
-       We establish and care for England’s main wildlife and geological sites, ensuring that over 4,000 National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.
-       We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Marine Conservation Zones, and advising widely on their conservation.
-       We run England’s Environmental Stewardship green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.
-       We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats.
-       We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.
For further information contact:
The National Press Office on 0845 603 9953/ press@naturalengland.org.uk / out of hours 07970 098 005 / http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/