Natural England
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North Norfolk Coastal Path – final report submitted to Government

Natural England has published a report yesterday containing the final proposals for the 41 km stretch of England’s Coast Path which runs between Sea Palling on the east end of the north Norfolk coast, and Weybourne in the west. This follows on from a three-month public consultation asking for people’s views on the draft proposals for this stretch of coast. 

The feedback received has helped to shape the final recommendations ensuring that any local issues are considered. This final report has also been submitted to the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, Natural England has a statutory duty to improve access to the English coast. As well as securing a long-distance route around the whole of the coast, its role is to provide improved levels of access for local residents and visitors where they can walk, rest and admire the view.

The report outlines key improvements to existing access along the coast in Norfolk between Sea Palling and Weybourne, with proposals:

  • to identify a clear and continuous walking route along this part of the coast, bringing sections of existing coastal footpath closer to the sea;

  • to allow the route to ‘roll back’ if the coastline erodes or slips, solving the long-standing difficulties of maintaining a continuous route along the coast;

  • and to secure statutory rights of public access to areas of beach, cliff and coastal land for the first time in places where people currently enjoy access by long tradition or with the landowners’ permission.

Copies of the report can be viewed in council offices and libraries along the coast between Sea Palling and Weybourne. The next step in the process will be for people to have a chance to make formal representations and objections on these final proposals starting from 22 July and ending at midnight on 16 September 2013.

Anyone can make representations to Natural England about the proposals; but owners and occupiers of affected land may make objections on specified grounds, which then will be considered by a Planning Inspector. The Secretary of State will then make the final decision, which is expected to be announced later in the year.

The full report and all the forms and guidance on how to make a representation or objection are also available on Natural England’s website:
www.naturalengland.org.uk/coastalaccess

Sally Fishwick, Senior Adviser at Natural England, said: “This is a beautiful and much-loved stretch of coastline, and we were delighted to receive so many responses from the public consultation. There was interest from everyone in the community – from the general public, landowners and occupiers, to voluntary and membership organisations, as well as local public bodies. This valuable feedback has ensured that the voices of local residents, as well as visitors, have been heard. We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who made the effort to get involved. We appreciate it greatly.”

Notes to Editors

1. Natural England press office contact:

Michelle Hawkins, press officer / 0300 060 1109 / michelle.hawkins@naturalengland.org.uk

2. The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 places a duty on the Secretary of State and Natural England to secure a long distance walking trail around the open coast of England, together with public access rights to a wider area of land along the way for people to enjoy. 

The England Coast Path will be a new long distance National Trail that will eventually allow people to walk 4,500km around the whole of the English Coast. In addition to Norfolk, Natural England is also currently working to deliver coastal access in several other locations around the country:

  • Cumbria

  • Dorset

  • Kent

  • North East / Yorkshire and the Humber

  • Somerset

The first stretch of coastal access was approved in Weymouth last year, and was opened in time for people to view the sailing events for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.


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