Seaford Esplanade to Eastbourne Pier England Coast Path: Shoreham-By-Sea to Eastbourne - Natural England’S Proposals
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www.gov.uk/natural-england Chapter 4: Seaford Esplanade to Eastbourne Pier England Coast Path: Shoreham-by-Sea to Eastbourne - Natural England’s Proposals Part 4.1: Introduction Start Point: Seaford Esplanade (grid reference: 548773 98234) End Point: Eastbourne Pier, Eastbourne (grid reference: 561766 98898) Relevant Maps: 4a to 4o Understanding the proposals and accompanying maps: The Trail: 4.1.1 Generally follows existing walked routes, including public rights of way, along all of this length. 4.1.2 Mainly follows the coastline quite closely and maintains good views of the sea. 4.1.3 Traverses the Sussex Heritage Coast between Seaford and Eastbourne, where the South Downs meets the sea, renowned for its iconic chalk cliffs. 4.1.4 Follows a route similar to part of the existing South Downs Way National Trail but departs from this in places in order to improve the trail route. 4.1.5 Follows a route similar to part of the existing Vanguard Way, a long distance footpath, but departs from this at Exceat, in order to continue along the coast. 4.1.6 The South Downs Way generally follows the coast between Exceat and Eastbourne, so for the most part we propose adopting the walked line of this route as the line of the England Coast Path. However, there are places where we have proposed improvements to the existing route line, and furthermore there may be places where the walked line differs slightly from the route originally approved by the Secretary of State, as the path has evolved over time to cope with coastal erosion and other processes. In both situations, as explained at part 6a of the Overview, assuming these proposals are approved we intend to use a separate variation report to the Secretary of State to change the route of the existing national trail to reflect the approved line of the England Coast Path insofar as the two are different. England Coast Path | Shoreham-by-Sea to Eastbourne | Natural England’s Proposals Protection of sensitive nature conservation features: 4.1.7 This part of the coast includes the following sites, designated for nature conservation (See map C of the Overview): Seaford to Beachy Head Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designated for its geological and wildlife interest Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) Beachy Head East proposed Marine Conservation Zone (pMCZ) Seaford Head Local Nature Reserve (LNR) We have assessed the potential impacts of our proposals along the proposed route (and over the associated spreading room described below) on the features for which the affected land is designated and on any which are protected in their own right. 4.1.8 With input from specialists we have considered each of the sites involved and the relevant designations and concluded that for this section of the coast our proposals are compatible with the conservation objectives for the sites concerned. In reaching this conclusion we have also identified the following opportunity to enhance understanding of important habitats: Location Risk Mitigation West of Seaford No risk No mitigation is necessary, however, we propose to install Head, map 4a new interpretation near Seaford Head to raise awareness of important bird life (kittiwakes), prior to the opening of the trail. See part 6b of the Overview - ‘Protection of sensitive nature conservation features’ for a description of our overall approach and a summary of our conclusions Protection of the Historic Environment: 4.1.9 This part of the coast also includes the following sites, designated for heritage preservation reasons (See map C of the Overview): Hillfort and bowl barrow on Seaford Head Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM). Napoleonic Barracks, Cuckmere Haven Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM). Pair of bowl barrows on Bailey’s Hill Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) Camp near Belle Tout Lighthouse, Birling Gap Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM). Wish Tower (Martello Tower) Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM). We have assessed the potential impacts of our proposals along the proposed route (and over England Coast Path | Shoreham-by-Sea to Eastbourne | Natural England’s Proposals the associated spreading room described below) on the features for which the affected land is designated and on any which are protected in their own right. 4.1.10 With input from specialists we have considered each of the sites involved and the relevant designations and concluded that for this section of the coast our proposals would not undermine the conservation objectives for the historic environment. See part 6c of the Overview - ‘Protection of the Historic Environment’ for a description of our overall approach and a summary of our conclusions Accessibility: 4.1.11 There are few artificial barriers to accessibility on the proposed route, which makes use of existing paths wherever these meet the criteria in the Coastal Access Scheme. However, there are places where it may not be entirely suitable for people with reduced mobility because: The trail would follow uneven and undulating grass or bare soil path along cliff tops; The trail would follow a very short section of the shingle foreshore near the Cuckmere Coastguard Cottages; There are steps in places where it would be necessary to ascend/descend steeper sections of the South Downs Way; There are steps in places where it would be necessary to ascend/descend between the King Edwards Parade and the Middle Parade along Eastbourne seafront. See part 6a of the Overview - ‘Recreational issues’ - for more information. Where we have proposed exercising our discretion: 4.1.12 Estuary: This report proposes that the trail should contain sections aligned on the estuary of the river Cuckmere, extending upstream from the open coast. See part 5 of the Overview. The trail covered by this chapter includes part of this estuary route. 4.1.13 Landward boundary of the coastal margin: We have used our discretion on some sections of the route to map the landward extent of the coastal margin to an adjacent physical boundary such as a fence line, pavement or track to make the extent of the new access rights clearer. See Table 4.2.1 below. 4.1.14 In some places we have used our discretion to propose the inclusion of additional, more extensive landward areas within the coastal margin, to secure or enhance public enjoyment of this part of the coast. The owners of this land are content for us to propose this. See also part 3 of the Overview - ‘Understanding the proposals and accompanying maps’, for an explanation of the default extent of the coastal margin and how we may use our discretion to adjust the margin, either to add land or to provide clarity. See also Annex C of the Overview - ‘Excepted land categories’. England Coast Path | Shoreham-by-Sea to Eastbourne | Natural England’s Proposals 4.1.15 Restrictions and/or exclusions: We have proposed to exclude access by direction under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) in certain places along this section of coast. For details of these directions, see 4.3.22 in the Formal Proposals Section of this chapter and Part 10 of the Overview. 4.1.16 Access rights to the spreading room would be subject to the national restrictions on coastal access rights listed in Annex D of the Overview. These restrictions would not apply to public rights of way. 4.1.17 These directions will not prevent or affect: any existing local use of the land by right, as such use is not covered by coastal access rights; any other use people already make of the land locally by formal agreement with the landowner, or by informal permission or traditional toleration; or use of any registered rights of common or rights at common law or by Royal Charter etc 4.1.18 Any such use is not prohibited or limited by these arrangements. 4.1.19 The directions we give are intended to avoid any new public rights being created over the salt marsh and mudflat in question in view of the hidden dangers to which new users of the land would be subject to. See part 10 of the Overview - ‘Restrictions and exclusions’ - for details. Establishment and ongoing management of the trail 4.1.20 Some physical establishment of the trail would be necessary, in accordance with the general approach described in part 7 the Overview. 4.1.21 At section SEB-4-S007 on the western side of Cuckmere river (map 4c), the existing path surface will be improved to reduce waterlogging in winter. We envisage this happening before the new access rights come into force. 4.1.22 At Birling Gap, the existing wooden backfilled steps towards Belle Tout at section SEB-4-S023 (map 4h) will be improved to make them easier to use. The proposed works include surfacing for the step treads and for the area between the foot of the steps and the car park. We envisage this happening before the new access rights come into force. 4.1.23 At Beachy Head, the wooden, backfilled steps which descend to the lower slopes clifftop at section SEB-4-S029 (map 4j) will be improved to make them easier to use. The proposed works include some replacement steps, extra steps and surfacing of the step treads. We envisage this happening before the new access rights come into force. 4.1.24 An interpretation panel is proposed to explain the value and interest of kittiwakes nesting at Seaford Head (map 4a). 4.1.25 Ongoing management and maintenance would be necessary in accordance with the general approach described in part 8 of the Overview. The overall need for this is likely to be greater than England Coast Path | Shoreham-by-Sea to Eastbourne | Natural England’s Proposals on some other parts of the stretch, recognising that it will be necessary for the route to roll back from time to time in response to coastal processes, as described below.