51茶馆

Introduction

On 18 September 2024 Natural England submitted a compendium of coastal access reports relating to the stretch of coast around the Isle of Wight 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

This determination relates to Modification Report 3 (MR3), which modifies part of length IOW3. Proposals for lengths IOW4 and IOW5 were approved on 6 April 2022, proposals for lengths IOW8 and IOW9 were approved on 5 May 2023, the proposal for length IOW6 was approved on 7 May 2024, the proposal for IOW3 was approved on 16 October 2024 and the proposals for lengths IOW2, IOW7 and IOW10 were approved on 2 May 2025.

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

a. Modification report MR3 鈥� proposed changes to the King Charles III England Coast Path proposals for Isle of Wight length report IOW3 submitted to the Secretary of State on 18 September 2024.

b. 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 January 2025.

c. Section 245 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 imposes a duty upon the Secretary of State, when exercising any function which has any effect upon land in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) to seek to the further the purposes of those areas. In this case the creation of coastal access in and around these areas of outstanding natural beauty may have an effect upon them. However, in making this decision the Secretary of State has sought to further the purpose of the conservation and enhancement of these areas of outstanding natural beauty by satisfying themselves that no harm will come to these areas as a result of the creation of the new coastal access.

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 length report MR3.

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 January 2025

c. summary of other representations, and Natural England鈥檚 comments on those representations, which it sent to the Secretary of State in January 2025.

Natural England has also made available here:

d. coastal access modification report MR3 鈥� proposed changes to the King Charles III England Coast Path proposals for Isle of Wight length report IOW3

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/MR3/R/2/IOW3854

Organisation / person making representation: [redacted], Isle of Wight Area Ramblers Association

Route sections specific to this representation: 聽聽IOW-MR3-S006 to IOW-MR3-S023

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

Secretary of State鈥檚 conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State notes the Ramblers鈥� concerns regarding the need for safer access on the steep sections of the proposed route, including the provision of additional steps or zig-zag paths, as well as their suggestions for alternative routes. However, the Secretary of State supports Natural England鈥檚 position that, due to safety risks associated with crossing Leeson Road at point IOW-MR3-S006 and the condition of the alternative footpaths, the amended seaward-side roadside route is the safest and most practical option.

Representation ID: 聽MCA/MR3/R/1/IOW1023

Organisation/ person making representation: [redacted]

Route section(s) specific to this representation:聽 Bonchurch

Other reports within stretch to which this representation also relates:聽 Map MR3

Secretary of State鈥檚 conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State notes the representation鈥檚 suggestion to roll the route forward in the landslip area, as well as the request to signpost Leeson Road as an alternative route. However, the Secretary of State supports Natural England鈥檚 position that, due to safety concerns at IOW-MR3-S006, the amended route offers the most practical solution. Also, the suggestion to signpost Leeson Road as an alternative route is not appropriate because an alternative route can only be used if the main route is closed or inaccessible for a period of time.