1-17 of 17 results for subject:"Public footpaths"
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress the Environment Agency and Natural England have made on facilitating reinstatement of the Avon Valley footpath between Christchurch and Burton.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress the Environment Agency and Natural England have made on facilitating reinstatement of the Avon Valley footpath between Christchurch and Burton.
The closure of the footpath in this location is because there are breaches in the banks of the Hampshire Avon along Winkton Common upstream of Christchurch. These breaches have worsened over the last 6 months because of the exceptionally high-water levels in the river.
The Environment Agency (EA) is working with the Meyrick Estate, South West Water (SWW), Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) and Natural England (NE) to understand and mitigate the long-term implications. We are jointly exploring potentially significant environmental benefits in the form of new wetland habitat, but there are a number of important considerations, such as assets owned by SWW which run across the common.
While the EA is neither responsible nor funded to maintain the banks of the river in this location, we are supporting Natural England in their work with the Meyrick Estate to identify a long-term alternative route for the footpath. NE have worked with the Meyrick Estate on a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier application which will include a review of public access in this area and aim to identify a new sustainable route for the footpath.
We recognise that the situation is frustrating for those who want to access the Avon Valley footpath, but changes in river levels associated with climate change do mean that the historic route is likely to be unsustainable.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Environment Agency is taking to ensure that the Avon Valley path between Burton and Christchurch is maintained.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Environment Agency is taking to ensure that the Avon Valley path between Burton and Christchurch is maintained.
Maintenance of public rights of way, including decisions to divert or extinguish them, is a matter for the local authority.
The Environment Agency and Natural England are working with local landowners and South West Water to review future flood risks that may impact assets that cross the flood plain, including the stretch of the Avon Valley path between Burton and Christchurch.
Public access on rights of way and common land in floodplains is regularly affected by winter flooding events. The frequency and duration of such events appears to be changing as a result of climate change, and adapting towards natural flood management needs to consider and balance this alongside rights of public access, public safety as well as land use.
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...
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...
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.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Planning Inspectorate received the revised Habitats Regulations Assessment from Natural England in respect of proposals for the coastal path between Kimmeridge and Highcliffe; whether there will be a public inquiry into the issues raised; and whether...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Planning Inspectorate received the revised Habitats Regulations Assessment from Natural England in respect of proposals for the coastal path between Kimmeridge and Highcliffe; whether there will be a public inquiry into the issues raised; and whether...
Defra received the outcome of the revised Habitats Regulations Assessment from Natural England in respect of proposals for the coastal path between Kimmeridge and Highcliffe on 3 March 2021. We will pass the revised Habitats Regulations Assessment to the Planning Inspectorate in due course, so that it can be considered as part of their investigation into the objections relating to this stretch.
As stated in the ministerial response of 11 February 2021 and 23 March 2021, the Planning Inspectorate plays an independent role in the determination of objections relating to stretches of the England Coast Path. The way in which this is taken forward is a decision for the inspector appointed to investigate the objections. It would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to comment on this process, including as to whether a public inquiry will be undertaken.
The Secretary of State will comment on the proposals, objections and representations when making his determination on the approval of the stretch.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 March 2021 to Question 153108, when he the Planning Inspector appointed in 2017 will be requested to decide whether or not to hold a public inquiry into objections to the Kimmeridge Bay...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 March 2021 to Question 153108, when he the Planning Inspector appointed in 2017 will be requested to decide whether or not to hold a public inquiry into objections to the Kimmeridge Bay...
As stated in the ministerial response of the 11th February 2021, the Planning Inspectorate plays an independent role in the determination of objections on stretches of the England Coast Path. How to take this forward is a decision for the inspector appointed to investigate the objections, and it would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to comment on this process.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 February 2021 to Question 153108, whether the Planning Inspector inquiring into the proposals has requested Natural England to provide new data or evidence or whether the letter requesting such data sent by...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 February 2021 to Question 153108, whether the Planning Inspector inquiring into the proposals has requested Natural England to provide new data or evidence or whether the letter requesting such data sent by...
The letter requesting new data or evidence sent by Natural England was sent in relation to the European Court ruling known as People Over Wind. To comply with this ruling Natural England has completed a full review of the relevant Habitats Regulations Assessment which will be published online in due course. This review includes the important step of approaching relevant stakeholders (and objectors who have listed nature conservation concerns in their responses) to ask if they have any new data regarding the designated features relevant to the review. This approach was agreed with the department.
This assessment is part of a separate process to the Planning Inspectorate investigation into objections. The Planning Inspector paused their investigation while the review was ongoing so that they could take the results into account in their decision.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 February 2021 to Question 148676 on Public Footpaths: Christchurch, whether the Inspector plans to hold a public inquiry into the objections; and what the timeframe is for the completion of the Inspector’s...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 February 2021 to Question 148676 on Public Footpaths: Christchurch, whether the Inspector plans to hold a public inquiry into the objections; and what the timeframe is for the completion of the Inspector’s...
The Planning Inspector plays an independent role in the determination of the objections received on a set of proposals. It is up to the Inspector to decide whether it is necessary or expedient to hold a public inquiry or other hearing in connection with the consideration of objections to Natural England’s proposals.
In the case of the Kimmeridge Bay to Highcliffe stretch, the Inspector’s consideration of the relevant objections has been delayed due to the impact of the European Court ruling known as People Over Wind. Natural England is reviewing the relevant Habitats Regulations Assessment in compliance with this ruling.
Given this, and the impact of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the department is unable to give a firm timeframe for the completion of this work.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what action he is taking to ensure that coastal paths being established under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 incorporate ferry connections; and if he will ensure that the proposed coastal path between Mudeford and Hengistbury Head...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what action he is taking to ensure that coastal paths being established under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 incorporate ferry connections; and if he will ensure that the proposed coastal path between Mudeford and Hengistbury Head...
Natural England’s 2013 Approved Coastal Access Scheme sets out the criteria under which decisions regarding estuarial discretion are made. The Scheme is clear that the presence of a ferry service must be taken into account in such circumstances. This must, however, also be weighed alongside other determining factors such as public enjoyment and the coastal nature of an estuary.
The proposals for Kimmeridge Bay to Highcliffe in which the Mudeford Ferry sits were published on 21 June 2017. A decision regarding this Coastal Access Report has been delayed, however, due to the European Court ruling known as People Over Wind. Natural England is reviewing the relevant Habitats Regulations Assessment in compliance with this ruling. In addition, a number of objections were received following the publication of Natural England’s initial report. Defra has appointed an independent planning inspector to examine these objections who will provide a report to the Secretary of State.
This evidence and the Planning Inspectors Report will need to be considered as part of the Secretary of State’s decision on the proposals.
Natural England continues to monitor the local situation and any changes since the report was published, for example updates to the ferry timetable, will be taken into account.
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for introducing this timely debate. Is he aware that I promoted a private Member’s Bill, the Coastal Path (Definition) Bill, the main purpose of which was to omit section 301 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, which deals with river estuaries?...
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for introducing this timely debate. Is he aware that I promoted a private Member’s Bill, the Coastal Path (Definition) Bill, the main purpose of which was to omit section 301 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, which deals with river estuaries?...
Does the Minister accept that there is a lack of consistency in the approach to estuaries? Will she explain why the Government have objected to my Coastal Path (Definition) Bill, which would have
required this path to go along the coast, rather than into estuary areas? It would be a...
Does the Minister accept that there is a lack of consistency in the approach to estuaries? Will she explain why the Government have objected to my Coastal Path (Definition) Bill, which would have
required this path to go along the coast, rather than into estuary areas? It would be a...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his Department's policy to require Natural England to designate the proposed route of the national coastal footpath in Christchurch constituency as being from Highcliffe to Mudeford Quay and across the Avon estuary direct...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his Department's policy to require Natural England to designate the proposed route of the national coastal footpath in Christchurch constituency as being from Highcliffe to Mudeford Quay and across the Avon estuary direct...
On 21 June 2017 Natural England published its proposals for coastal access for the 41 mile stretch of the coast between Kimmeridge Bay and Highcliffe, Dorset. There is a now an eight week consultation period for representations to be made on the proposals. The closing date for representations is midnight on 16 August 2017.
We will then consider Natural England’s proposals in the light of such representations.
Does my hon. Friend agree that the Bill might raise expectations that cannot be realised? For example, Dorset county council says it cannot afford to fund a 20 mph speed limit outside Twynham school on Sopers lane, where a student was knocked down and injured on a pedestrian crossing earlier...
Does my hon. Friend agree that the Bill might raise expectations that cannot be realised? For example, Dorset county council says it cannot afford to fund a 20 mph speed limit outside Twynham school on Sopers lane, where a student was knocked down and injured on a pedestrian crossing earlier...
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when the appeal by St. Leonard's and St. Ives Parish Council against the refusal of Dorset County Council to modify the definitive map to add five footpaths at Lions Hill, St Leonard's was made; and on what...
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when the appeal by St. Leonard's and St. Ives Parish Council against the refusal of Dorset County Council to modify the definitive map to add five footpaths at Lions Hill, St Leonard's was made; and on what...
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many employees of the Government Office for the South West are allocated to the determination of appeals involving footpaths. - (Holding answer 12 March 1999).
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many employees of the Government Office for the South West are allocated to the determination of appeals involving footpaths. - (Holding answer 12 March 1999).
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is the earliest date of a case involving a footpath appeal which is still awaiting determination by the Government office in Bristol; and how many more recent cases are awaiting determination. - Inc figs. (Holding answer...
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is the earliest date of a case involving a footpath appeal which is still awaiting determination by the Government office in Bristol; and how many more recent cases are awaiting determination. - Inc figs. (Holding answer...
What is his policy on the control of the use of footpaths by cyclists; how many injuries to pedestrians on footpaths caused by cycles there have been. - Inc fact that DTP published advice on aspects of shared use by pedestrians & cyclists in local transport note 2/86 (copies in...
What is his policy on the control of the use of footpaths by cyclists; how many injuries to pedestrians on footpaths caused by cycles there have been. - Inc fact that DTP published advice on aspects of shared use by pedestrians & cyclists in local transport note 2/86 (copies in...