Chris Seeks Rationale For The Christchurch Coastal Path Recommendation
Christopher Chope Conservative, Christchurch
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Notice by the Secretary of State under section 52 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949: Kimmeridge Bay to Highcliffe, published on 6 April 2022, for what reason he made a decision on the route of the coastal path between Mudeford and Hengistbury Head inconsistent with the recommendation of the Planning Inspector; and what assessment he made of the potential (a) adequacy and (b) effectiveness of the ferry service that had been proposed to form part of that costal path.
Rebecca Pow The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Planning Inspector concluded that Natural England's proposals do not fail to strike a fair balance in respect of any of the grounds raised in objections to the route between Mudeford and Hengistbury. The Inspector suggested that consideration be given to a modification to make the Christchurch Harbour route a formal alternative route and the ferry service the main route, thereby alleviating the concerns of objectors. The Secretary of State gave due consideration to this option, as per the Planning Inspector’s recommendation, but decided against adopting it.
The ferry service is seasonal and would not provide a continuous route for the England Coast Path. Moreover, the route around Christchurch Harbour will exclusively use existing paths and deliver significant recreational value. Where objections to the Christchurch Harbour route were submitted, the route will follow a public right of way and the land falling within the coastal margin is existing common land; therefore, there will be no material change as a result of the establishment of the England Coast Path.
Overall, following careful consideration, the Secretary of State determined that a route around Christchurch Harbour is consistent with the coastal access duty in the 2009 Act, which sets out the desirability of minimising interruptions to the route, and that the proposed route also follows the approach described in Natural England's approved Coastal Access Scheme.
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