188体育

Introduction

On 28 June 2017 Natural England submitted a compendium of coastal access reports relating to the stretch of coast around Mersea Island 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 (鈥渢he 1949 Act鈥�), pursuant to its duty under section 296(1) of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (鈥渢he 2009 Act鈥�).聽

Furthermore, on Wednesday 25 May 2022, Natural England submitted a modification report to the Secretary of State setting out revised proposals for the route of the England Coast Path in Essex between Mersea Outdoors and Coopers Beach Holiday Park, Mersea Island.

This determination relates to the entire stretch, MSI, which includes, MSI chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4. Additionally, it takes into account modification report, MR 1, which affects a section of Chapter 3, Anglian Water Sewage Works to Mersea Stone, Mersea Island.

In reaching a determination under section 52 of the 1949 Act the Secretary of State has considered:

a. Mersea Island report MSI 鈥� part of Natural England鈥檚 coastal access report compendium for Isle of Wight submitted to the Secretary of State on 28 June 2017

b. Modification report MR1 鈥� part of Natural England鈥檚 revised proposals for MSI chapter 3, submitted to the Secretary of State on Wednesday 25 May 2022

c. 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鈥檚 comments on those representations which it sent to the Secretary of State in June 2017 and May 2022

In this notice 鈥�

(a) 鈥渞epresentation鈥� 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鈥檚 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 the Mersea Island report (MSI), taking into account modifications outlined in Chapter 3, affected by MR1 (Modification Report 1).

The Secretary of State determines that the proposals set out in the coastal access report do not fail to strike a 鈥渇air balance鈥�. 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 :

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鈥檚 comments on those representations, which it sent to the Secretary of State in June 2017 and May 2022

c. summary of other representations, and Natural England鈥檚 comments on those representations, which it sent to the Secretary of State in June 2017 and May 2022

Natural England has also made available here:

d. Mersea Island - the compendium of coastal access reports.

e. Modification report MR1 - part of Natural England鈥檚 revised proposals for MSI chapter 3

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 ID: 聽MCA\Mersea Island\R\1\MSI0480

Organisation/ person making representation: [redacted]

Route sections on or adjacent to the land:聽聽聽聽MSI-4-S006 to MSI-4-S009

Other reports within stretch to which this representation also relates: N/A

Secretary of State鈥檚 conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State acknowledges the concerns raised by the landowner regarding the incorporation of signage on the footpath, including usage guidelines for walkers and responsible dog ownership, as outlined in the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000. The Secretary of State supports Natural England鈥檚 proposed signage plan, which aims to address these concerns while ensuring compliance with the CROW Act 2000 and promoting responsible access to the trail.

Representation ID: 聽聽聽MCA/MSIMR1/R/2/MSI0689

Organisation/ person making representation: [redacted], Historic England

Route section(s) specific to this representation:聽聽聽聽MSI-MR1-S001 - MSI-MR1-S004

Other reports within stretch to which this representation also relates:聽聽聽聽聽N/A

Secretary of State鈥檚 conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State acknowledges the positive assessment provided by Historic England regarding Natural England鈥檚 proposals, particularly their conclusion that the proposed modifications will not affect any highly graded designated heritage assets.

Representation ID: 聽MCA/MSIMR1/R/3/MSI0019

Organisation/ person making representation: [redacted], the Ramblers Association

Route section(s) specific to this representation:聽聽聽MSI-MR1-S001 - MSI-MR1-S004

Other reports within stretch to which this representation also relates:聽聽N/A

Secretary of State鈥檚 conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State acknowledges the Ramblers Association鈥檚 disappointment with the proposed route鈥檚 distance from the shoreline and their concern about an established badger sett near the path, which could lead to potential safety risks. However, the Secretary of State supports Natural England鈥檚 proposals, recognising the practicality of the chosen route and their commitment to work with the Access Authority to ensure the path is safe for walkers.