The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Penzance to St Mawes) Order 2025
This order sets June 4th, 2025, as the official end date for the access preparation period along the coastal margin from Penzance to St Mawes.
The decision is based on the Secretary of State's approval of Natural England's proposals, documented in nine specific reports.
This formally opens this section of coast to public access.
Arguments For
Intended Benefit: Establishes a clear end date for the access preparation period, facilitating public access to the coastal margin.
Legal/Historical Basis: The Order is made under the powers granted by section 3A(10) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, and references the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, aligning with existing legislation.
Evidence Cited: The Order relies on Natural England reports and Secretary of State approvals, providing a documented basis for the decision.
Implementation Method: Specifies a date for the termination of the access preparation period, a straightforward implementation method.
Arguments Against
Potential Impacts: May lead to unforeseen challenges or conflicts due to the sudden influx of visitors to the coastal areas.
Implementation Challenges: Ensuring adequate infrastructure and management to handle increased visitor numbers might be challenging in some areas.
Alternative Approaches: A phased approach, allowing more gradual access to the coastal margin, could have mitigated potential issues.
Unintended Effects: The increased public access may negatively impact the environment or local communities if insufficient management measures are put in place.
- Citation and commencement and interpretation (1) This Order may be cited as the Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Penzance to St Mawes) 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 1949; “the relevant approval” means the approval by the Secretary of State under section 52(1) of the Act of the proposals for long distance routes contained in the— (a) England Coast Path PSM 1, Penzance Station to East Marazion report on 23rd April 2020; (b) England Coast Path PSM 2, East Marazion to Sea Meads report on 23rd April 2020; (c) England Coast Path PSM 3, Sea Meads to Loe Bar report on 23rd April 2020; (d) England Coast Path PSM 4, Loe Bar to Mullion Cove report on 23rd April 2020; (e) England Coast Path PSM 5, Mullion Cove to Devil’s Frying Pan report on 23rd April 2020; (f) England Coast Path PSM 6, Devil’s Frying Pan to Dolor Point report on 23rd April 2020; (g) England Coast Path PSM 7, Dolor Point to Porthoustock report on 7th July 2021; (h) England Coast Path PSM 8, Porthoustock to Carne report on 7th July 2021; (i) England Coast Path PSM 9, Carne to St Mawes Pier report on 7th July 2021. “the relevant reports” means the reports submitted by Natural England to the Secretary of State under sections 51 and 55A of the Act on 18th September 2019 entitled— (a) England Coast Path PSM 1 Penzance Station to East Marazion; (b) England Coast Path PSM 2 East Marazion to Sea Meads; (c) England Coast Path PSM 3 Sea Meads to Loe Bar; (d) England Coast Path PSM 4 Loe Bar to Mullion Cove; (e) England Coast Path PSM 5 Mullion Cove to Devil’s Frying Pan; (f) England Coast Path PSM 6 Devil’s Frying Pan to Dolor; (g) England Coast Path PSM 7 Dolor Point to Porthoustock; (h) England Coast Path PSM 8 Porthoustock to Carne; (i) England Coast Path PSM 9 Carne to St Mawes Pier.
This section establishes the order's title, effective date (the day after it's made), and defines key terms. 'The Act' refers to the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. 'Relevant approval' means the Secretary of State's approval of specific Natural England reports outlining long-distance coastal routes. 'Relevant reports' refers to nine Natural England reports on coastal access from Penzance to St Mawes.
- 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 period ends, is 4th June 2025.
This section sets June 4th, 2025, as the end date for the access preparation period for the coastal margin.
This date is determined by the Secretary of State's approval of previously submitted proposals and reports from Natural England.