The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (St Mawes to Cremyll) Order 2025
The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (St Mawes to Cremyll) Order 2025 sets June 4th, 2025, as the end of the access preparation period for coastal land between St Mawes and Cremyll in Cornwall.
This follows the Secretary of State's approval of Natural England's plans for a long-distance coastal path, as outlined in several reports submitted in 2019 and 2020.
The order references the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, and clarifies the legal framework for public access to this section of the proposed path.
Arguments For
Improved Public Access: The order facilitates public access to coastal areas, promoting recreational opportunities and connection with nature.
Legal Compliance: The order fulfills the legal requirements of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, enabling the completion of the England Coast Path.
Economic Benefits: Increased public access can boost local economies through tourism and recreation-related spending.
Environmental Stewardship: The designated access may promote environmental awareness and responsible stewardship of coastal ecosystems.
Arguments Against
Potential for Environmental Damage: Increased foot traffic could damage sensitive coastal habitats or wildlife.
Landowner Concerns: Some landowners may have concerns about the increased public use of their land, including potential liability.
Infrastructure Needs: Providing adequate infrastructure (parking, signage, waste disposal) to support increased access might be challenging and costly.
Limited Consultation: Concerns may arise if the consultation process preceding the order was insufficient or incomplete.
- Citation and commencement and interpretation (1) This Order may be cited as the Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (St Mawes to Cremyll) Order 2025 and comes into force on the day after the day on which it is made. (2) In this Order— “the Act” means the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 19492; “the relevant approvals” means the approvals, by the Secretary of State3 under section 52(1) of the Act4 of the proposals for long distance routes contained in the— (a) England Coast Path SMC 1 St Mawes to Nare Head report on 6th March 2020; (b) England Coast Path SMC 2 Nare Head to Dodman Point report on 23rd April 2021; (c) England Coast Path SMC 3 Dodman Point to Drennick report on 6th March 2020; (d) England Coast Path SMC 4 Drennick to Fowey report on 6th March 2020; (e) England Coast Path SMC 5 Fowey to Polperro report on 6th March 2020; (f) England Coast Path SMC 6 Polperro to Seaton report on 6th March 2020; (g) England Coast Path SMC 7 Seaton to Rame Head report on 6th March 2020; (h) England Coast Path SMC 8 Rame Head to Cremyll report on 6th March 2020; “the relevant reports” means the reports submitted by Natural England to the Secretary of State under sections 51 and 55A of the Act5 on 20th June 20196 entitled— (a) England Coast Path SMC 1 St Mawes to Nare Head; (b) England Coast Path SMC 2 Nare Head to Dodman Point; (c) England Coast Path SMC 3 Dodman Point to Drennick; (d) England Coast Path SMC 4 Drennick to Fowey; (e) England Coast Path SMC 5 Fowey to Polperro; (f) England Coast Path SMC 6 Polperro to Seaton; (g) England Coast Path SMC 7 Seaton to Rame Head; (h) England Coast Path SMC 8 Rame Head to Cremyll.
This section establishes the order's title and effective date.
It also defines key terms: 'the Act' refers to the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949; 'the relevant approvals' are those granted by the Secretary of State for the proposed coastal path sections, based on specific reports; and 'the relevant reports' are those submitted by Natural England to the Secretary of State, detailing the proposed path's route.
These definitions are crucial for understanding the legal context of the order.
- End of access preparation period In relation to land which is coastal margin, as a result of the relevant approvals of the proposals contained in the relevant reports, the day appointed as the day on which the access preparation period7 ends, is 4th June 2025.
This section sets June 4th, 2025, as the official end date for the preparatory period for public access to coastal areas.
This date is tied directly to the Secretary of State's approvals of Natural England's proposals for establishing the coastal path sections, implying the completion of preparations for public use.
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