Hurst Spit to Lymington Bridge (East) England Coast Path: Highcliffe to Calshot - Natural England’S Proposals

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Chapter 2: Hurst Spit to Lymington Bridge (east) England Coast Path: Highcliffe to Calshot - Natural England’s Proposals

Part 2.1: Introduction

Start Point: Hurst Spit (grid reference: 429976, 90860) End Point: Lymington Bridge (East) (grid reference: 432870, 96136) Relevant Maps: 2a to 2e

Understanding the proposals and accompanying maps:

The Trail:

2.1.1 Generally follows existing walked routes, including public rights of way and a promoted route, The Solent Way, along most of this length.

2.1.2 Mainly follows the coastline quite closely and maintains good views of the sea.

2.1.3 Follows the sea wall and defences for the majority of this chapter.

Protection of sensitive features:

2.1.4 This part of the coast includes the following sites, designated for nature conservation or heritage preservation (See map C of the Overview):

 Hurst Castle Lymington River Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

 Lymington River Reed Beds Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

 Solent and Southampton Water Special Protection Area (SPA)

 Solent and Dorset Coasts proposed Special Protection Area (pSPA)

 Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation (SAC)

 Solent and Southampton Waters Ramsar Site

England Coast Path | Highcliffe to Calshot | Natural England’s Proposals  Hurst Castle and Lighthouse Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM).

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.

2.1.5 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 will not have a detrimental effect.

In reaching this conclusion we have identified that it would be necessary to propose the exclusion of access to some of the seaward margin using formal directions, as outlined in the formal proposals at paragraph 2.3.10.

In relation to those nature conservation sites listed above, refer to our published Access and Sensitive Features Appraisal for more information.

See part 6b of the Overview - ‘Protection of sensitive features’ for a description of our overall approach and a summary of our conclusions

Accessibility:

2.1.6 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:

 of an uneven bank near to Hurst Spit

 of a narrow public right of way near to and through Lymington Yacht Haven

 of steps and a ramp over the pedestrian bridge at Hurst Spit

See part 6a of the Overview - ‘Recreational issues’ - for more information.

Where we have proposed exercising our discretion:

The discretions referred to below are explained in more detail in the Overview.

2.1.7 Estuary: This report proposes that the trail should include a route around the estuary of the Lymington River, extending upstream from the open coast as far as Lymington Bridge east, which is the first public foot crossing point over the river. See part 5 of the Overview. The trail covered by this chapter includes part of this estuary route.

2.1.8 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 2.2.1 below.

England Coast Path | Highcliffe to Calshot | Natural England’s Proposals 2.1.9 At section HCS-2-SO03 and from sections HCS-2-S009 to HCS-2-S022 we have used this discretion to limit the landward extent of the coastal margin to the landward edge of the path on top of the seawall. This has had the effect of reducing the amount of coastal margin that would have otherwise been available by default. This option provides the most clarity because:

 The edge of the path provides an easily identifiable boundary for access users.

 There is no clear feature at the bottom of the seawall that could mark the boundary of the coastal margin and in addition the landward slope of the bank consists of scrub and gorse which in turn makes a landward boundary extent difficult to identify

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’.

2.1.10 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 2.3.10 in the Formal Proposals Section of this report and Part 10 of the Overview.

2.1.11 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.

See part 10 of the Overview - ‘Restrictions and exclusions’ - for details.

Establishment and ongoing management of the trail

2.1.12 There are no additional measures that we consider necessary to improve the safety or convenience of the trail on this length of coast other than appropriate way marking, signage and installation of small scale bollards.

2.1.13 Ongoing management and maintenance would be necessary in accordance with the general approach described in part 8 of the Overview

See parts 7 - ‘Physical establishment of the trail’ and 8 - ‘Maintenance of the trail’ of the Overview for more information.

Future Change:

2.1.14 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 6e - ‘Coastal processes’ and 9 - ‘Future changes’ of the Overview for more information.

England Coast Path | Highcliffe to Calshot | Natural England’s Proposals Part 2.2: Commentary on Maps

See Part 3 of Overview for guidance on reading and understanding the tables below

2.2.1 Section Details – Map(s) 2a to 2e: Hurst Spit to Lymington Bridge (east)

Notes on table: Column 2 – an asterisk (*) against the route section number means see also table 2.2.2: 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 6a - certain specific coastal land types are included automatically in the coastal margin where they fall landward of the trail, or connect indirectly with it by touching another part of the coastal margin that itself touches the foreshore at some point. 1 2 3 4 5 6a 6b 6c 7 Map(s) Route section Current status Current Roll-back Default Landward Reason for Proposed number(s) of this section surface of proposed? landward boundary of landward exclusions this section (See coastal margin boundary or Part 9 of margin? (See maps) discretion restrictions Overview) (see Part 10 of Overview) 2a HCS-2-S001 Public footpath Bare soil: No No Ditch Clarity and Margin Compacted cohesion HCS-2-S002 Public highway Tarmac No No Landward edge Not used Margin of trail (2m) HCS-2-S003 Public footpath Gravel No No Edge of path Clarity and Margin cohesion HCS-2-S004 Public highway Tarmac No No Landward edge Not used Margin of trail (2m) HCS-2-S005 Public footpath Gravel No No Edge of path Clarity and Margin cohesion HCS-2-S006 Other existing Bare soil: No No Road Clarity and Margin walked route Compacted cohesion HCS-2-S007 Other existing Grass No No Road Clarity and Margin walked route cohesion HCS-2-S008 Public highway Gravel No No Road Clarity and Margin cohesion 2a to HCS-2-S009 to Public footpath Gravel No No Edge of path Clarity and Margin 2c HCS-2-S018 cohesion 2b HCS-2-S019 Other existing Gravel No No Edge of path Clarity and Margin walked route cohesion 2c to HCS-2-S020 to Public footpath Gravel No No Edge of path Clarity and Margin 2d HCS-2-SO22 cohesion 2d HCS-2-S023, Public footpath Gravel No No Hedgerow Clarity and None HCS-2-S024 and cohesion HCS-2-S025 HCS-2-S026 to Public footpath Gravel No No Landward edge Not Used None HCS-2-SO27 of trail (2m) HCS-2-S028 Public footpath Tarmac No No Landward edge Not used None of trail (2m) HCS-2-S029 and Public footpath Gravel No No Fence line Clarity and None HCS-2-S030 cohesion HCS-2-S031 Public footpath Tarmac No No Fence line Clarity and None cohesion HCS-2-S032 Public footpath Tarmac No No Landward edge Not used None of trail (2m) HCS-2-S033 Public footpath Tarmac No No Edge of path Clarity and None cohesion HCS-2-S034 Other existing Tarmac No No Edge of path Clarity and None walked route cohesion

England Coast Path | Highcliffe to Calshot | Natural England’s Proposals 1 2 3 4 5 6a 6b 6c 7 Map(s) Route section Current status Current Roll-back Default Landward Reason for Proposed number(s) of this section surface of proposed? landward boundary of landward exclusions this section (See coastal margin boundary or Part 9 of margin? (See maps) discretion restrictions Overview) (see Part 10 of Overview) 2d & HCS-2-S035 and Public footway Tarmac No No Pavement edge Clarity and None 2e HCS-2-S036 (pavement) cohesion 2e HCS-2-S037 Public Tarmac No No Landward edge Not used None Highway of trail (2m) HCS-2-S038 and Public footway Tarmac No No Pavement edge Clarity and None HCS-2-S039 (pavement) cohesion HCS-2-S040 Public footway Tarmac No No Landward edge Not used None (pavement) of trail (2m) HCS-2-S041 Public highway Tarmac No No Landward edge Not used None of trail (2m) HCS-2-S042 Public highway Tarmac No No Pavement edge Clarity and None cohesion HCS-2-S043, Public footway Tarmac No No Pavement edge Clarity and None HCS-2-S044 and (pavement) cohesion HCS-2-S045 HCS-2-S046 Public highway Tarmac No No Landward edge Not used None of trail (2m) HCS-2-S047 and Public footway Tarmac No No Pavement edge Clarity and None HCS-2-S048 (pavement) cohesion

HCS-2-S049 Public highway Tarmac No No Landward edge Not used None of trail (2m) HCS-2-S050 Public footway Tarmac No No Pavement edge Clarity and None (pavement) cohesion HCS-2-S051 Public highway Tarmac No No Landward edge Not used None of trail (2m)

2.2.2 Other options considered: Map(s) 2.c to 2.e: Hurst Spit to Lymington Bridge (east) Map(s) Section Option(s) considered Reasons for not proposing this option as the route number(s) 2c HCS-2-S0019 At Moses Dock (adjacent We opted for the proposed route because: to Oxey Marsh) we considered using the ■ By using this short section of existing permissive path a lengthy public right of way circular detour was avoided which avoids passing ■ This proposal is made with the support of the landowner over the sluice. ■ Under our proposals, the public footpath would remain available for people to use but would not form part of the designated trail. ■ 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 2e HCS-2-S0042 We considered aligning We opted for the proposed route because: to the trail along Mill Lane HCS-2-S0044 and Waterloo Road, ■ Mill Lane and Waterloo Road are narrow with no pavements and Lymington we felt they are unsuitable for walkers unfamiliar with the area and likely traffic patterns ■ 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 2e HCS-2-S0042 We considered aligning We opted for the proposed route because: to the trail seaward of HCS-2-S0044 Lymington Shores ■ To avoid narrow roads with no pavement. development on the ■ We concluded that overall the proposed route struck the best publicly accessible path balance in terms of the criteria described in chapter 4 of the Coastal Access Scheme

England Coast Path | Highcliffe to Calshot | Natural England’s Proposals Part 2.3: Chapter 2 - Formal Proposals

 Below are our formal proposals to the Secretary of State for the length of coast shown on maps 2a to 2e.

 They should be read in conjunction with the relevant maps.

 The commentary above explains the practical effect of these proposals.

Formal Proposals – Hurst Spit to Lymington Bridge (east)

Discretion to include an estuary

2.3.1 Natural England proposes to exercise its functions as if the sea included the estuarial waters of the Lymington River as far as Lymington Bridge (East) as indicated by the extent of the trail shown on map 2e.

Proposed route of the trail

2.3.2 The route is to be at the centre of the line shown on maps 2a to 2e as the proposed route of the trail.

2.3.3 Adjacent to route section HCS-2-S001, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the ditch which, at the time of writing this report, is landward of the public footpath shown as the trail on map 2a.

2.3.4 Adjacent to route sections HCS-2-S029 to HCS-2-S031, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the fence line which, at the time of writing this report, is landward of the public footpath shown as the trail on map 2d.

2.3.5 Adjacent to route sections HCS-2-S023 to HCS-2-S025, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the hedgerow which, at the time of writing this report, is landward of the public footpath shown as the trail on map 2d.

2.3.6 Adjacent to route section(s) HCS-2-S035 and HCS-2-S036, HCS-2-S038, HCS-2-S039, HCS-2-S042 to HCS-2-S045, HCS-2-S047, HCS-2-S048 and HCS-2-S050, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the landward edge of the pavement shown as the trail on maps 2d and 2e

2.3.7 Adjacent to route sections HCS-2-S006 and HCS-2-S007, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the seaward edge of the road which is landward of the existing walked route shown as the trail on map 2a

2.3.8. Adjacent to route section HCS-2-S008 the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with landward edge of the road shown as the trail on map 2a.

2.3.9 Adjacent to route sections HCS-2-S003, HCS-2-S005, HCS-2-S009 to HCS-2-S022, HCS-2-S033 and HCS-2-S034 the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the landward edge of the path shown as the trail on maps 2a, 2b and 2d.

England Coast Path | Highcliffe to Calshot | Natural England’s Proposals Local restrictions and exclusions

2.3.10 Natural England proposes to exclude access relevant to this length of coast, as follows:

 Access to the land in the coastal margin covered by route sections HCS-2-S001 to HCS-2-S022 is to be excluded all year-round by direction under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) as it is mudflat and saltmarsh that is unsuitable for public access. The exclusion does not affect the route itself and will have no legal effect on land where coastal access rights do not apply. See map E in the Overview for further details.

 Access is to be excluded all year-round at Berthon Boatyard, adjacent to route section HCS- 2-S036 to HCS-2-S039 under s24 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) for the purpose of land management in order to prevent disruption to ongoing commercial activity (boatyard operations), and under s25(1)(b) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) for the purposes of ensuring public safety. This exclusion will not affect the route itself and will have no legal effect on land where coastal access rights do not apply. See map G in the Overview for further details.

Please refer to Part 10 of the Overview for further details.

Alternative routes

2.3.12 There are no proposals for alternative routes in relation to this length of coast.

England Coast Path | Highcliffe to Calshot | Natural England’s Proposals Coastal Access - Highcliffe to Calshot - Natural England's Proposals Chapter 2 Hurst Spit to Lymington Bridge (East) Map 2a: Hurst Spit to Lyndon M a p

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