www.gov.uk/englandcoastpath England Coast Path Stretch: Silverdale to Cleveleys Report SDC 2: Wild Duck Hall, Bolton-le-Sands to Ocean Edge Caravan Park, Heysham Part 2.1: Introduction Start Point: Wild Duck Hall, Bolton-le-Sands (grid reference: SD 4798 6867) End Point: Ocean Edge Caravan Park, Heysham (grid reference: SD 4041 5912) Relevant Maps: SDC 2a to SDC 2h 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 Silverdale and Cleveleys. 2.1.2 This report covers length SDC 2 of the stretch, which is the coast between Wild Duck Hall, Bolton-le-Sands and Ocean Edge Caravan Park, Heysham. 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. Part 2.2: Proposals Narrative The trail: 2.2.1 Generally follows existing walked routes, including public rights of way and minor roads, along most of this length. 2.2.2 Mainly follows the coastline quite closely and maintains good views of the sea. 2.2.3 Includes a short section of new path at Heysham Nature Reserve. See map SDC 2h and associated tables below for details. 2.2.4 Diverts inland to avoid Heysham harbour docks and power station. 2.2.5 Follows a route similar to the existing Lancashire Coastal Way but departs from this in places in order to take account of changes to the coastline and to fit better with the criteria set out in the approved Coastal Access Scheme. 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: Morecambe Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA) Morecambe Bay RAMSAR site Lune Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its wildlife interest Morecambe Bay SSSI for its wildlife interest High cross in St Peter's churchyard, Heysham Scheduled Monument (SM) St Patrick's early Christian chapel and associated cemetery, Lower Heysham SM Map C in the Overview shows the extent of designated areas along this stretch of coast, including SPAs, SSSIs and Scheduled Monuments. The following table brings together design features included in our access proposals that will help to protect the environment along this length of the coast. 2.2.7 Measures to protect the environment Map(s) Route section Design features of the access Reason included number(s) proposals SDC 2c to SDC- 2-S015, The following design features are To reduce the risk of SDC 2g SDC-2-S017, described elsewhere in this report: disturbance to roosting SDC-2-S018 and Coastal access rights to the raised non-breeding waterbirds SDC-2-S021 ‘fishtail’ groynes in the coastal (Morecambe Bay and margin seaward of the route are to Duddon Estuary SPA, be excluded between 1st September Map(s) Route section Design features of the access Reason included number(s) proposals and 31st March each year. See Morecambe Bay SSSI. paragraph 2.2.18 and Direction Maps Morecambe Bay Ramsar). SDC 2D, 2E, 2F. SDC 2h SDC-2-S035 to The following design features are To reduce the risk of SDC-2-S037 described elsewhere in this report: disturbance to roosting Coastal access rights would be non-breeding waterbirds excluded by direction, to those with (Morecambe Bay and dogs, from part of the sea wall at Duddon Estuary SPA, Near Haze, in the coastal margin, Morecambe Bay SSSI. between 1st September and 30th Morecambe Bay Ramsar). April each year. See paragraph 2.2.20 and Direction Map SDC 2F. SDC 2h SDC-2 S067 and The following design features are To reduce the risk of SDC-2-S072 described elsewhere in this report: disturbance to roosting Coastal access rights are to be non-breeding waterbirds excluded over part of the coastal and feeding waterbirds margin at Red Nab all year round. (year round) (Morecambe See paragraph 2.2.22 and Direction Bay and Duddon Estuary Map SDC 2G. SPA, Lune Estuary SSSI, Morecambe Bay Ramsar). SDC 2a to SDC-2-S001 to The following design features are To reduce the risk of SDC 2g SDC-2-S034 described elsewhere in this report: disturbance to non- We will install 13 information boards breeding waterbirds and at strategic locations along the ground nesting birds proposed trail, where exclusions or (Morecambe Bay and restrictions are proposed, to explain Duddon Estuary SPA, the particular sensitivities found on Lune Estuary SSSI. this length of coast and to ask people Morecambe Bay Ramsar). to observe any restrictions that are in place. See maps for locations. 2.2.8 Natural England is satisfied that the proposals for coastal access in this report are made in accordance with relevant environmental protection legislation. In respect of cultural heritage, we have taken advice from Historic England and others before confirming this conclusion. For more information about how we came to this conclusion in respect of the natural environment; see the following assessments of the access proposals that we have published separately: A Habitats Regulations Assessment relating to any potential impact on the conservation objectives of European sites. Our Nature Conservation Assessment, in which we document our conclusions in relation to other potential impacts on nature conservation. Part 6b of the Overview includes some contextual information about protecting the environment along this length of coast. Accessibility: 2.2.9 There are few artificial barriers to accessibility on the proposed route. The proposed trail makes use of the existing promenade at Morecambe which provides a pleasant and accessible route close to the sea. However, the natural coastal terrain is often challenging for people with reduced mobility and this is the case on some short sections of our proposed route because: the trail would follow an uneven grass or bare soil path; and there are some places on the trail, close to Sandside Caravan and Camping Park, Red Bank Farm and Heysham Nature Reserve where it will be necessary to install new short sections of steps to ascend and descend steeper ground. See part 6a of the Overview - ‘Recreational issues’ - for more information. Where we have proposed exercising statutory discretions: 2.2.10 Estuary: This report proposes that the trail should contain sections aligned on the estuary of the river Kent, extending upstream from the open coast. Natural England proposes to exercise its functions as if the sea included the estuarial waters of the river Kent as far as the railway bridge between Arnside and Grange-over-Sands. This report includes the coast of the Kent Estuary between Wild Duck Hall and Morecombe Leisure Park. The remaining parts of the Kent estuary are covered by Report SDC 1: Cove Well, Silverdale to Wild Duck Hall, Bolton-le-Sands and in the reports for the adjacent stretch of coast between Silecroft and Silverdale. See part 5 of the Overview for a detailed analysis of the options considered for this estuary and our resulting proposals. 2.2.11 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, edge of pavement or track to make the extent of the new access rights clearer. See Table 2.3.1 below. 2.2.12 In some places near Lower Heysham and Heysham Head, 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 owner of this land is content for us to propose this. 2.2.13 The Proposals Tables show where we are proposing to alter the default landward boundary of the coastal margin. These proposals are set out in columns 5b and 5c of table 2.3.1. Where these columns are left blank, we are making no such proposals, so the default landward boundary applies. See the note relating to Columns 5b & 5c [above Table 2.3.1] explaining what this means in practice.