West Bay to Hive Beach Coastal Access: Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle - Natural England’S Proposals

www.gov.uk/natural-england

Chapter 4: West Bay to Hive Beach Coastal Access: Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle - Natural England’s Proposals

Part 4.1: Introduction

Start Point: West Bay (grid reference: SY 4642 9024) End Point: Hive Beach (grid reference: SY 4909 8880) Relevant Maps: 4a and 4b

Understanding the proposals and accompanying maps:

The Trail: 4.1.1 Follows the South West Coast Path, using public rights of way and existing walked routes. 4.1.2 Follows the coastline and maintains good views of the sea except:  between route sections LRR-4-S015 to LRR-4-S020, where an inland diversion is necessary to cross the River Bride at the first available footbridge. Alternatives were considered (see table 4.2.2 below); and  between route sections LRR-4-S025 to LRR-4-S031, where an inland diversion is necessary to take the trail past areas of Burton Cliff which have collapsed (see Future Change, below and part 8 of the Overview). 4.1.3 This part of the coast includes the following sites, designated for nature conservation, geological or heritage preservation (see map C of the Overview):  Chesil & The Fleet Special Area of Conservation (SAC)  West Dorset Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 4.1.4 We have assessed the potential impacts of access 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. The levels and patterns of public access along this length of coast would be unlikely to change significantly as a result of our proposals and we have therefore concluded that our proposals would not be likely to have any significant impact on these features. See part 5 of the Overview for more details about the assessment process described above, and refer to our published Access and Sensitive Features Appraisal for more information about the conclusions of the assessment process.

Accessibility: 4.1.5 There are few artificial barriers to accessibility on the proposed route, which makes use of existing surface 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: Coastal Access | Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle | Natural England’s Proposals | Chapter 3: West Bay to Hive Beach  the trail would follow an uneven grass or bare soil path along the cliff top; or  there are steps in places where it would be necessary to ascend/descend steep slopes. 4.1.6 At West Bay (route sections LRR-4-S001 and LRR-4-S002), new steps will be installed, so as to make the steep slope up the bank more accessible and less hazardous in wet conditions. We envisage this happening as part of the physical establishment work described in part 6 of the Overview. 4.1.7 The surfacing of route sections LRR-4-S005 , S008, S010, S011 and S022 will also be upgraded with additional backfilled steps installed. 4.1.8 At Cliff Road, Burton Bradstock (LRR-4-S025), the existing gates will be replaced with a gap (western side of the road) and a wider pedestrian gate suitable for users with reduced mobility (eastern side of the road). We envisage this happening as part of the physical establishment work described in part 6 of the Overview. See part 5a of the Overview ‘Recreational issues’ for more information.

Where we have proposed exercising our discretion: 4.1.9 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). 4.1.10 Restrictions and/or exclusions: The new access rights would also be subject to the excepted land types summarised in Annex C of the Overview, and the national restrictions on activities listed in Annex D. This would be so throughout the coastal margin, but these restrictions would not apply to the existing public rights of way. We have not used our discretion to propose any additional restrictions or exclusions on this part of the coast. See 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’.

Establishment and ongoing management of the trail 4.1.11 Some physical establishment of the trail would be necessary, in accordance with the general approach described in part 6 the Overview. This includes the measures to improve accessibility described above. 4.1.12 Ongoing management: Ongoing management and maintenance would be necessary in accordance with the general approach described in part 7 of the Overview. The overall need for this is likely to be greater than 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. See parts 6 ‘Physical establishment of the trail’ and 7 ‘Maintenance of the trail’ of the Overview for more information.

Future Change: 4.1.13 Part of the route of the trail on this length of coast would be able to change without further approval from the Secretary of State in response to coastal erosion or other geomorphological processes, or encroachment by the sea. This would happen in accordance with the criteria and procedures for ‘roll back’ set out in part 8 of the Overview. See table 4.2.1 below for details of the sections likely to be affected in the foreseeable future. 4.1.14 At the time of preparing the report, we do not foresee any other need for future changes to the access provisions proposed for the length of coast described in this chapter. See parts 5e ‘Coastal processes’ and 8 ‘Future changes’ of the Overview for more information.

Coastal Access | Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle | Natural England’s Proposals | Chapter 3: West Bay to Hive Beach Part 4.2: Commentary on the maps See part 3 of Overview for guidance on reading and understanding the tables below

4.2.1 Section details – Maps 4a to 4b, West Bay to Hive Beach

Notes on table: Column 2 – an asterisk (*) against the route section number means see also table 4.2.2: Other options considered. Column 5 – ‘Yes – normal’ means roll-back approach is likely to follow the current feature (e.g. cliff edge/beach) for the foreseeable future. Column 5 – ‘Yes – see table 4.2.3’ means refer to that table below about our likely approach to roll-back on this part of the route.

1 2 3 4 5 6a 6b 7 Map(s) Route section Current Current surface of Roll-back Landward Reason for Proposed number(s) status of this this section proposed? boundary landward exclusions or section (See Part 8 of of margin boundary restrictions Overview) (See maps) discretion 4a LRR-4-S001 and Public Grass Yes - normal Fence line Clarity & No LRR-4-S002 footpath cohesion LRR-4-S003 Public Grass Yes – see Fence line Clarity & No footpath table 4.2.3 cohesion LRR-4-S004 Public Steps: long backfilled Yes – see Fence line Clarity & No footpath table 4.2.3 cohesion LRR-4-S005 and Public Bare soil Yes – see Fence line Clarity & No LRR-4-S006 footpath (compacted) table 4.2.3 cohesion LRR-4-S007 Public Steps: long backfilled Yes – see Fence line Clarity & No footpath table 4.2.3 cohesion LRR-4-S008 Public Bare soil Yes – see Fence line Clarity & No footpath (compacted) table 4.2.3 cohesion LRR-4-S009 Public Grass Yes – see Fence line Clarity & No footpath table 4.2.3 cohesion LRR-4-S010 to Public Bare soil Yes – Landward Not used No LRR-4-S012 footpath (compacted) normal edge of trail LRR-4-S013 Public Steps: long backfilled Yes – Landward Not used No footpath normal edge of trail LRR-4-S014 Public Bare soil Yes – see Landward Not used No footpath (compacted)/Shingle table 4.2.3 edge of trail 4b LRR-4-S015* Other existing Grass Yes – see Landward Not used No walked route table 4.2.3 edge of trail LRR-4-S016* Public Grass Yes – see Landward Not used No footpath table 4.2.3 edge of trail LRR-4-S017* Public Tarmac Yes – see Landward Not used No footpath table 4.2.3 edge of trail LRR-4-S018* Public Stone: aggregate Yes – Landward Not used No footpath normal edge of trail LRR-4-S019* Public Footbridge: timber Yes – Landward Not used No footpath normal edge of trail LRR-4-S020* Public Grass Yes – Landward Not used No footpath normal edge of trail LRR-4-S021 and Other existing Grass Yes – Fence line Clarity & No LRR-4-S022 walked route normal cohesion LRR-4-S023 and Public Grass Yes – Fence line Clarity & No LRR-4-S024 footpath normal Cohesion LRR-4-S025 Public Stone: aggregate / Yes – Landward Not used No footpath Tarmac normal edge of trail LRR-4-S026 Other existing Grass Yes – Landward Not used No walked route normal edge of trail

Coastal Access | Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle | Natural England’s Proposals | Chapter 3: West Bay to Hive Beach 1 2 3 4 5 6a 6b 7 Map(s) Route section Current Current surface of Roll-back Landward Reason for Proposed number(s) status of this this section proposed? boundary landward exclusions or section (See Part 8 of of margin boundary restrictions Overview) (See maps) discretion 4b LRR-4-S027 Public Grass Yes – Landward Not used No footpath normal edge of trail LRR-4-S028 and Public Grass Yes – Landward Not used No LRR-4-S029 footpath normal edge of trail LRR-4-S030 Public Steps: timber Yes – Landward Not used No footpath normal edge of trail LRR-4-S031 Public Shingle Yes – Landward Not used No footpath normal edge of trail

4.2.2 Other options considered: Map 4b, Freshwater Beach Holiday Park to Hive Beach

Map(s) Section Option(s) considered Reasons for not proposing this option as the route number(s) LRR-4-S015 We considered crossing We opted for the proposed route because: to the mouth of the River  an investigation by Dorset County Council into installing a bridge LRR-4-S020 Bride by means of a new here concluded that it would not be feasible without considerable footbridge at SY478895. stabilisation works due to the highly mobile river bank, which is No other options were constantly being reshaped and undercut; identified for the trail in  relation to this map. the cost for stabilising the river bank here to install a new bridge would be prohibitively expensive, whilst a suitable alternative footbridge already exists 400m inland;  we concluded that overall the proposed route struck the best balance in terms of the criteria described in chapter 4 of the Coastal Access Scheme

4.2.3 Roll-back implementation – more complex situations: Maps 4a and 4b, West Bay to Hive Beach

Map(s) Section Option(s) considered Reasons for not proposing this option as the route number(s) LRR-4-S003 Bridport & West If it is no longer possible to find a viable route seaward of the golf to Dorset Golf Club course, we will choose a new route after detailed discussions with LRR-4-S009 all relevant interests, either (a) to pass through the site / course, or (b) if this is not practicable, to pass somewhere on the landward side of it. In reaching this judgement we will have full regard to the need to seek a fair balance between the interests of potentially affected owners and occupiers and those of the public. LRR-4-S014 Freshwater Beach If it is no longer possible to find a viable route seaward of the to Holiday Park licenced area of the Holiday Park, we will choose a new route after LRR-4-S017 detailed discussions with all relevant interests, either (a) to pass through the site, or (b) if this is not practicable, to pass somewhere on the landward side of it. In reaching this judgement we will have full regard to the need to seek a fair balance between the interests of potentially affected owners and occupiers and those of the public.

In relation to all other sections where roll-back has been proposed, the trail is likely to be adjusted to follow the current feature (e.g. cliff edge/beach) for the foreseeable future.

Coastal Access | Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle | Natural England’s Proposals | Chapter 3: West Bay to Hive Beach Part 4.3: Chapter 4 - Formal Proposals  Below are our formal proposals to the Secretary of State for the length of coast shown on maps 4a to 4b.  They should be read in conjunction with the relevant maps.  The commentary above explains the practical effect of these proposals.

Formal Proposals – West Bay to Hive Beach

Proposed route of the trail 4.3.1 In relation to route sections LRR-4-S001 to LRR-4-S031, the initial proposed route, as determined at the time the report was prepared, is to be at the centre of the line shown on maps 4a and 4b as the proposed route of the trail.

4.3.2 If at any time any part of the route described in 4.3.1 needs to change in order to remain viable, as a result of coastal erosion or other geomorphological processes or encroachment by the sea, the new route will be determined by Natural England in accordance with the criteria and procedures described under the title ‘Roll-back’ in part 8 of the Overview and section 4.10 of the Scheme. If this happens, the new route will become the approved route for that section for the purposes of the Order which determines where coastal access rights apply.

Landward boundary of coastal margin 4.3.3 Adjacent to route sections LRR-4-S001 and LRR-4-S002, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the existing boundary fence, as indicated by the landward boundary of the coastal margin shown on map 4a.

4.3.4 Adjacent to route sections LRR-4-S003 to LRR-4-S009, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the existing boundary fence which, at the time of writing this report, is landward of the public footpath shown as the trail on map 4a.

4.3.5 Adjacent to route sections LRR-4-S021 to LRR-4-S024, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the existing boundary fence which, at the time of writing this report, is landward of the public footpath shown as the trail on map 4b.

Local restrictions and exclusions 4.3.6 At the time of writing this report, there are no proposals for local restrictions or exclusions in relation to this length of coast.

Coastal Access | Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle | Natural England’s Proposals | Chapter 3: West Bay to Hive Beach #

Coastal Access – Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle – Natural England’s Proposals Chapter 4: West Bay to Hive Beach Map 4a West Bay to Freshwater Beach Holiday Park F O M RT G Y FO E OT W O R a AY G

E p S PROPOSALS Other information (cont.)

R 4 E * * * E # E * T Trail using existing public Other access rights and routes a D * * # I * * S Bridport right of way or highway Y W

* Wych Public footpath

A * # Harbour

#U Ppg # e

Q # Trail shown on other maps Public Bridleway * # * * West Bay Sta s #* #

* t *

Existing route of the B

Coastal margin laBnrydnwveallard a * South West Coast Path

Farm * * * * y # Marsh Barn of the trail where different to * t

# Farm o

# these proposals *

# # # # F East # CG Sta Trail sections which follow existing r *

Beach Trail infrastructure e

public rights of way or highways s # *

# #* # are indicated by a suffix: ! w ! # New steps required LRR-4-S001 FP * Club House !

! * a # # B * FP - Public footpath UR T t * O Existing steps # !N R e OA

! E D r LRR-4-S002 FP * as Other information ! in satisfactory condition ! t * Cl B * iff * Sea below mean low water e * a * c

* L h * RR -4

Explanatory note: coastal margin H # * -S0 * 03 Part 3 of the Overview to the report explains where the landward boundary of the coastal margin falls by FP o * default. Our proposals include any suggested variation of this default boundary. The purple wash on the * l map indicates where as a result of our proposals the coastal margin would extend significantly to the i * d *

landward side of the proposed route of the trail. The coastal margin may include some areas where coastal a # * * access rights do not apply, either seaward or landward of the proposed route of the trail: the Overview y

* explains more about this. The landward boundary of the coastal margin may in due course move inland, if * P

* the trail rolls back under proposals in this report to respond to coastal change. a # #

# * *# r # ! LRR-4-S005 FP k

LRR-4-S003 FP #

# * # ! * # Golf Course # * * !

# * LRR-4-S007 FP ! Wennet #

* # # #

*# # ! ! # * LRR-4-S008 FP LRR-4-S004 FP #* ! Hill ! LRR-4-S006 FP # # * LRR LRR-4-S012 FP Ppg * -4-S0 * 09 FP Sta

! * * #

LRR-4-S005 FP * * #

# ! #

*# #

LRR-4-S010 FP ! #*# # # ! * *# Freshwater Beach

# Holiday Park

* LR

* R

* - *

4* -S0 * 14 FP

! *

# LRR-4-S011 FP

! * #

LRR-4-S007 FP ! *

! *

LRR-4-S009 FP *

! # # # LRR-4-S013 FP #

# *

# * # # *

! #

! # *

LRR-4-S008 FP #* *

! * *

* *

* # *

! *

LRR-4-S010 FP *

# *

! *

* 0 50 100 200 300 400 # # *

* # #

LRR-4-S009 FP * # N Metres *

LRR-4-S011 FP ! * ! #

* # * * * * * * * * * * * * *

# * * * *

* *# Coastal Access – Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle – Natural England’s Proposals Chapter 4: West Bay to Hive Beach Map 4b Freshwater Beach Holiday Park to Hive Beach M Gages E N a

A L

L p O N PROPOSALS W Other information (cont.)

O E

Ppg T R 4

H P T # I O Trail usinO g existing public b

W Sta # Other access rights and routes H W Shadrach A N S R T LOS. right of wS ay or highway L C H

E F IL Farm C Public footpaths H L N O D

H r S # T TraEil using other existing e R # G Public bridleways

# O R

N V

Freshwater Beach s

walked . route

O .

R h

B A N Footpath, Closed

R . LRR-4-S016 FP N

# R # O N w Holiday Park # W F TrA ail shown on other maps IL H D. CL SE UT O O Trail infrastructure a AD S O ` R ! t . S

L Trail sections which follow existing e R M A ! r H I D New steps required C puK blicD rights of way or higAhways !

O B

LRR-4-S017 FP !_ C D R # # L # B A GROVE Replacement pedestrian

# # A E

RR L aR re indicated by a suffix: e

# ANE E # # LRR-4-S018 FP LRR-4-S015 D S N

# a T !_ gate A # R A H c E L L ST # S FP - PW ublic footpath Existing footbridge

E h R Y

N ú

P T B

0 F !_ C # 2 # 0 . -4-S R ! in satisfactory condition

LRR H

# # A # N # A D ú L . K Existing kissing gate o !` ! ON ther information D ` l Magnolia ! in satisfactory condition i LRR-4-S021 Manor Sea below mean low water d

T ! Farm Farm Existing pedestrian gate a E

!`! E !_ in satisfactory condition y

LRR-4-S018 FP T M

IL R # # L ST E D P

# E

# # Existing steps

a R # !

!_ T D#

! in satisfactory condition r

# S # k

` H D ! ú Existing kissing gate G t ! ! I o

! # LRR-4-S019 FP H !` to be removed #

D H

LRR-4-S022 ! i ! Pp LRR-4-S028 FP v D Ho e

S OAD

BREDY R B # LRR-4-S020 FP O # B U . TH R O . D VER # e L a 0 50 100 200 300 400 R c D R- 4- Poultry h S0 LRR-4-S029 FP N D 23 House

FP #

Metres # D # BC . R

D. !

C LRR-4-S030 FP # © Crown copyright and database right 2015. D Bu # r L Cliff ! to I C # All rights reserved. n F OM C F Farm M li ON D R Natural England Licence No. 100022021 ff L " A O " LRR-4-SN031 FP " E A " D B HI D V " " " . C E LS

" .

This map is intended to be printed in colour at A3 size. A " # × # " D C "

" #

# !_ H # # # LRR ` R - ! O 4- !_ # AR S 26 # B ROW 0 0 A 24 -4-S D F R D P LR L IN

RR B #

# -4 #

# - #

# S0 # 27 # !_

FP #

LRR-4-S028 FP #

# #

# LRR-4-S025 FP ##

# #

Explanatory note: coastal margin # # Part 3 of the Overview to the report explains where the landward boundary of the coastal margin falls by Hive # default. Our proposals include any suggested variation of this default boundary. The purple wash on the # map indicates where as a result of our proposals the coastal margin would extend significantly to the Beach landward side of the proposed route of the trail. The coastal margin may include some areas where coastal # # access rights do not apply, either seaward or landward of the proposed route of the trail: the Overview explains more about this. The landward boundary of the coastal margin may in due course move inland, if

the trail rolls back under proposals in this report to respond to coastal change. #