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Views sought on coast path plans Views sought on coast path plans
(about 2 hours later)
The public is being consulted on plans to open up the whole of the English coastline to walkers.The public is being consulted on plans to open up the whole of the English coastline to walkers.
The government proposal would allow access to about 30% of land currently out-of-bounds. The government proposal would allow access to about 30% of land currently out of bounds.
Ramblers have welcomed the move, but some landowners are concerned they will receive no compensation and have little say in how the path is created. Ramblers have welcomed the move but some landowners are concerned they will receive no compensation and have little say in how the path is created.
There is already a right of access to Scotland's coast and the creation of a coastal path in Wales is under way.There is already a right of access to Scotland's coast and the creation of a coastal path in Wales is under way.
The government has said it wants to set up a continuous route as close to the coast as possible, giving access to the entire shoreline including headlands, coves and beaches. Island nation
Wildlife charities have said they support the plans in principle, but would want to ensure proper protection for wildlife habitats. The government wants to set up a continuous route as close to the coast as possible, giving access to the entire shoreline including headlands, coves and beaches.
Biodiversity minister Barry Gardiner said: "We are an island - being close to the sea, being part of the coast is actually part of who we are."
The introduction of a coast corridor will actually help safeguard wildlife habitats Paul Wilkinson Ramblers' Association
He added that being unable to get to nearly one-third of the coastline was "wrong".
Paul Wilkinson, chief executive of the Ramblers' Association, welcomed the proposals and told BBC Radio Five Live that island dwellers had "a special affinity" with the coast.
He said people should be given a "clear legal right of access" along the English coastline but added that sensible restrictions were needed to take account of private ownership and wildlife.
"I think the important thing is that the introduction of a coast corridor will actually help safeguard those wildlife habitats, perhaps more importantly guard against development and protect our beautiful coast," he said.
Landowner concerns
Wildlife charities have said they support the plans in principle but would want to ensure proper protection for habitats.
But the Country Land and Business Association said the proposals did not adequately address compensation for landowners, even where the value of a property or business was affected.
Its national access advisor, Sarah Slade, said 84% of the public already enjoyed access to the 70% of shoreline available and had not identified a problem.
I want families to have safe and secure access to walk, climb, rock scramble, paddle and play all along our coastline David MilibandI want families to have safe and secure access to walk, climb, rock scramble, paddle and play all along our coastline David Miliband
Biodiversity minister Barry Gardiner said walkers were often frustrated when a day out was spoiled by a path that goes nowhere.
"We are an island - being close to the sea, being part of the coast is actually part of who we are."
He said being unable to get to nearly one-third of the coastline was "wrong".
The Country Land and Business Association said the proposals did not appear to adequately address compensation for landowners, even where the value of a property or business was affected.
Its national access advisor, Sarah Slade, said there was very little demand for more of the coast to be opened up.
She said 84% of the public enjoyed access to the 70% of shoreline already available and had not identified a problem.
"I think really the government is taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut. This is more of an ideological stance rather than addressing a proven need.""I think really the government is taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut. This is more of an ideological stance rather than addressing a proven need."
'Punitive' Damian Cleghorn of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said the government needed to "think carefully" about the policy, which he said could threaten the environment.
He added that ruling out compensation for landowners was "punitive" because security and safety problems were likely to result in the fall of property values.
Playing and paddling
But Environment Secretary David Miliband said the coast was everyone's " birthright".But Environment Secretary David Miliband said the coast was everyone's " birthright".
"I want families to have safe and secure access to walk, climb, rock scramble, paddle and play all along our coastline. "I want families to have safe and secure access to walk, climb, rock scramble, paddle and play all along our coastline."
"The coast is also vitally important for nature conservation and wildlife and for tourism." The Conservatives said they supported the idea but would want a few issues ironed out.
A public consultation will ask for views on the following options:A public consultation will ask for views on the following options:
  • Using existing rights of way legislation to create a footpath all round the coast
  • Using existing rights of way legislation to create a footpath all round the coast
  • Extending open access using the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to give access to types of land which are considered coastal
  • Extending open access using the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to give access to types of land which are considered coastal
  • Voluntary agreements with landowners using existing mechanisms, such as those for agri-environment schemes
  • Voluntary agreements with landowners using existing mechanisms, such as those for agri-environment schemes
  • New legislation to allow Natural England to designate a coastal corridor providing a continuous route along the coast.
  • New legislation to allow Natural England to designate a coastal corridor providing a continuous route along the coast.
    • The Conservatives have said they support the idea but would want a few issues ironed out. Chair of Natural England Sir Martin Doughty said he wanted the government to use legislation to give the organisation new powers to align a suitable strip of access land around the English coast.
    Damian Cleghorn of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said the government needed to "think carefully" about the policy, which he said could threaten the environment.
    He added that ruling out compensation for landowners was "punitive" because security and safety problems were likely to result in the fall of property values.
    Chair of Natural England Sir Martin Doughty said they wanted the government to use legislation to give them new powers to align a suitable strip of access land around the English coast.
    "Natural England would concentrate on sections of coast where access on foot is currently missing, defective or insecure," he said."Natural England would concentrate on sections of coast where access on foot is currently missing, defective or insecure," he said.