www.gov.uk/englandcoastpath England Coast Path Stretch: Aldeburgh to Hopton-on-Sea Report AHS 2: Sizewell to Dunwich Part 2.1: Introduction Start Point: Sizewell beach car park (grid reference: TM 4757 6300) End Point: Dingle Marshes south, Dunwich (grid reference: TM 4735 7074) Relevant Maps: AHS 2a to AHS 2e 2.1.1 This is one of a series of linked but legally separate reports published by Natural England under section 51 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, which make proposals to the Secretary of State for improved public access along and to this stretch of coast between Aldeburgh to Hopton-on-Sea. 2.1.2 This report covers length AHS 2 of the stretch, which is the coast between Sizewell and Dunwich. It makes free-standing statutory proposals for this part of the stretch, and seeks approval for them by the Secretary of State in their own right under section 52 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. 2.1.3 The report explains how we propose to implement the England Coast Path (“the trail”) on this part of the stretch, and details the likely consequences in terms of the wider ‘Coastal Margin’ that will be created if our proposals are approved by the Secretary of State. Our report also sets out: any proposals we think are necessary for restricting or excluding coastal access rights to address particular issues, in line with the powers in the legislation; and any proposed powers for the trail to be capable of being relocated on particular sections (“roll- back”), if this proves necessary in the future because of coastal change. 2.1.4 There is also a single Overview document for the whole of this stretch of coast, explaining common principles and background. This and the other individual reports relating to the stretch should be read in conjunction with the Overview. The Overview explains, among other things, how we have considered any potential environmental impacts of improving public access to this part of the coast, and this report, and other separately published assessments we refer to, then provides more detail on these aspects where appropriate. 1 England Coast Path | Aldeburgh to Hopton-on-Sea | AHS 2: Sizewell to Dunwich Part 2.2: Proposals Narrative The trail: 2.2.1 Generally follows existing walked routes, including public rights of way, along most of this length. 2.2.2 Mainly follows the coastline quite closely and maintains good views of the sea. 2.2.3 Is aligned on the beach or foreshore between the Coastguard Lookout at Sizewell (section AHS-1- S040 on Map AHS 1e) for about 5km north to Coney Hill, Minsmere Nature Reserve (section AHS-2- S017 on Map AHS 2c). See part 2.3 for details. 2.2.4 In some areas (sections AHS-2-S029 to AHS-2-S048 on Maps AHS 2d and 2e), a significant inland diversion is necessary to take the trail past Cliff House caravan park and Dunwich Cliffs Estate caravan park where we could not identify a continuous seaward access strip. There are also several properties with gardens which extend to the cliff edge which are excepted from coastal access rights. (See Future Change, below and Part 8 of the Overview). 2.2.5 Follows a route similar to the existing Suffolk Coast Path but departs from this in places in order to be closer to and gain views of the sea. Protection of the environment: In this part of the report, we explain how we have taken account of environmental protection objectives in developing our proposals for improved coastal access. 2.2.6 The following designated sites affect this length of coast: Minsmere to Walberswick Heaths and Marshes Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Southern North Sea Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Minsmere-Walberswick Special Protection Area (SPA) Outer Thames Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA) Minsmere-Walberswick Ramsar site Minsmere-Walberswick Heaths and Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its wildlife interest Leiston Abbey (second site) and moated site - Scheduled Monument Leiston Abbey (first site) with later chapel and pill box, Minsmere – Scheduled Monument Greyfriars, Dunwich - Scheduled Monument Maison Dieu (or Hospital of the Holy trinity), Dunwich - Scheduled Monument The following table brings together design features included in our access proposals to help to protect the environment along this length of the coast. 2 England Coast Path | Aldeburgh to Hopton-on-Sea | AHS 2: Sizewell to Dunwich 2.2.7 Measures to protect the environment Map(s) Route Design features of the access proposals Reason included section number(s) AHS 2c and AHS-2-S026 to The existing national restriction on the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) access rights will be Protection of ground AHS 2d AHS-2-S027 replicated. nesting birds There will be a seasonal restriction of coastal access rights under section 26 (nature conservation) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) requiring visitors to keep their dogs on leads between 1st March and 31st August each year to protect ground nesting birds. Signage will be rationalised and renewed and will include advisory signage specifically requesting no close up photography of ground nesting birds. See Map D. AHS 2e AHS-2-S055 to There will be a seasonal exclusion in the margin to the north between 1st April and 31st August each year to Protection of beach/ AHS-2-S064 protect ground nesting birds. See Map E. ground nesting birds AHS 2e AHS-2-S055 to As mitigation against any trampling of vegetated shingle, access to the coastal margin will not be actively Protection of AHS-2-S064 promoted by Natural England. All signage and literature for the England Coast Path (ECP), with the vegetated shingle exception of OS maps, will direct walkers away from the beach onto the trail which is landward of the sensitive area between Dunwich and Walberswick. Walkers will be encouraged directly to the sea at specific points in the coastal margin where vegetated shingle is not present or unlikely to recover (as damaged and not subject to coastal processes). Success of zonation and signage measures will be monitored and reviewed on a regular basis in agreement with the Responsible Officer (RO) from Natural England and site managers. 3 England Coast Path | Aldeburgh to Hopton-on-Sea | AHS 2: Sizewell to Dunwich Map(s) Route Design features of the access proposals Reason included section number(s) AHS 2a to AHS-2-S001 to Whilst the proposed route of the ECP does not raise concerns, there is a risk to vegetated shingle habitat Protection of AHS 2e AHS-2-S064 through access by their inclusion within coastal margin between Dunwich Cliff and Sizewell, although this vegetated shingle increase is determined to be negligible. Mitigation is required to overcome this risk of adverse impact. This includes: 1. Encouraging access along the ECP trail with good signage to try and limit footfall into the coastal margin, minimising impact on vegetated shingle. 2. Encouraging those seeking access to the water to cross the beach at specific points where vegetated shingle is not present or unlikely to recover (as damaged and not subject to coastal processes), notably at key access points through appropriate signage and interpretation: AHS-2-S054 to AHS-2-S055 (Map AHS 2e): access to the beach at Dunwich Heath car park (as part of the establishment works) AHS-2-S017 to AHS-2-S022 (Map AHS 2c): North Wall Junction AHS-2-S010 to AHS-2-S011 (Maps AHS 2b and 2c): Minsmere Sluice 3. Discouraging walking the whole beach frontage at Minsmere Haven, but if walkers do use this route, they will be encouraged to walk at low tide below the high tide line to protect perennial vegetated shingle further back plus the annual vegetated strandline habitat through appropriate signage and interpretation. 2. and 3. above to be part of a single interpretation panel located near Coastguard Cottages. Land managers will involve the RO when the current interpretation signs need to be reviewed to ensure future signs reflect the advice to walk on the inter-tidal area. Future management of the site after the new coastal access rights have commenced will involve monitoring the effectiveness of signage measures and levels of trampling of route and wider margin. This will be reviewed on a regular basis in agreement between the RO and site managers, with the RO to address any issues raised. 4 England Coast Path | Aldeburgh to Hopton-on-Sea | AHS 2: Sizewell to Dunwich Map(s) Route Design features of the access proposals Reason included section number(s) AHS 2a to AHS-2-S001 to Whilst the proposed route of the ECP does not raise concerns, there is a risk to Dune communities through Protection of Dune AHS 2c AHS-2-S018 access by their inclusion within the coastal margin between Dunwich and Walberswick and between communities Dunwich Cliff and Sizewell, although this increase is determined to be negligible. Mitigation is required to overcome this risk of adverse impact by providing good signage. Future management of the site after the new coastal access rights have commenced will involve monitoring the effectiveness of signage measures and levels of trampling of route and wider margin. This will be reviewed on a regular basis in agreement between the RO and site managers, with the RO to address any issues raised. 5 England Coast Path | Aldeburgh to Hopton-on-Sea | AHS 2: Sizewell to Dunwich 2.2.10 Natural England is satisfied that the proposals for coastal access in this report are made in accordance with relevant environmental protection legislation.