Government concedes on coastal access appeal - thanks to CLA lobbying

The CLA today welcomed the Government's concession that coastal landowners must have the right to appeal against the imposition of the coastal footpath across their land.

The concession came when The Marine and Coastal Access Bill, which is set to create a path around the English coastline, was debated by Lords at committee stage until late last night.

CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said:  "Although we have been opposed to the creation of a coastal path in England from the outset, we are pleased that if the Government is going to go ahead with this, it has at last accepted that for natural justice to be met a right of appeal is essential. This vindicates months of CLA lobbying.

"The debate around lack of appeal drew support for CLA amendments from all corners of the House. Lord Pannick, quoting Lord Justice Bowen, said: 'If no appeal were possible, I have no great hesitation in saying that this would not be a very desirable country to live in'."

The CLA lobbying was appreciated by several Peers for successfully articulating the concerns of our members over the need for an independent right of appeal, and we are grateful to the Lords for their tenacious approach to seeking a fair balance between citizen and state throughout the coastal access parts of this Bill.

The President of the CLA, the rural economy experts, added: "A right of appeal will mean that landowners' human rights are not completely trampled on by sweeping legislation.

"However, the devil is in the detail and we are continuing to negotiate with the Government to ensure landowners' interests are safeguarded on compensation, spreading room, future land use, estuaries and mapping.

"There is far too much trust placed in Natural England to get the job right, although the commitment to engage with local authorities is welcomed.

"It is disappointing that the Government has so far rejected calls to include a compensation clause, which would ensure that businesses suffering loss would be suitably compensated for that loss."

 CLA MEDIA CONTACTS:

For further information and interviews:

 Phillippa Coates, Press Officer, 020 7460 7934, phillippa.coates@cla.org.uk

 Oliver Wilson, Director of Communications, 020 7460 7936 or 07702 928828, ollie.wilson@cla.org.uk,

 Out of hours: 020 7201 9511.

Sarah Slade MRICS – National Access Adviser

A chartered surveyor with responsibility for CLA policy on public rights of way and access issues. Provides advice to members on issues arising from public access to the countryside.

Phone: 01769 580080
FAX: 01769 580080
Email sarah.slade@cla.org.uk