1. Access to the English Coast
Faversham Footpath Group
In regard to the PROW alignment being considered by KCC, we have yet to see their detailed designs showing this route through the parking area. Graham Rusling is getting these prepared. As I mentioned at the last meeting, in our formal proposals we will identify our preferred route – likely the proposed PROW, but will also highlight the other options that Natural England considered – one of these being a route through the entrance gates. 
The England Coast Path
Kevin Haugh, Natural England

2. Former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg 3rd September 2014
“I’m pleased to announce today that the government will be putting the funding in place to ensure the path is completed by 2020.”
Former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg rd September 2014
Announced by Nick Clegg September 2014
Tight deadline to get all the paths in place

3. What is the England Coast Path?
The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, (Part 9) establishes the coastal access duty - to create a long- distance walking route around the English coast, (the England Coast Path) and to identify land beside it, the coastal margin, accessible to the public on foot.
We follow statutory guidance – the Coastal Access Scheme which ensures that a balance is struck between the interests of those who own the land and the public, in having new access rights across it.
It also enables us to respond to coastal change through proposing ‘roll back’ which will allow the path to be moved back as the coast changes
2009 Act “Aims to improve public access to and enjoyment of the English coastline by creating clear and consistent public rights along the English coast for enjoyment on foot”
Long distance walking route- will be the longest continual route of its kind: 2700 mile long National Trail
Coastal margin – areas of open access
Coastal access scheme- handbook available on our website
Roll back- for example where there is likely to be coastal erosion
Natural environment- through consideration of the impact of the path under the habitat regulations assessment 2010

4. Estuaries and the England Coast Path
We have a power rather than a duty to extend the ECP along an estuary
The trail could end at the seaward limit of an estuary. This may be inconvenient for access
We will normally extend the trail to the first pedestrian crossing point – particularly when linking large towns, transport links, rights of way access points and local tourist businesses
We must seek to balance the cost of bringing Coastal Access along an estuary against the public enjoyment of improved access

5. What are the benefits of the England Coast Path?
Secure, continuous, clearly way-marked, well managed route
National Trail brand and funding
Boost to the local economy
Reconnecting people with their local coast
Reduced liability on coastal access land
A straightforward way to deal with coastal change (roll back)
In 2012, the South West Coast Path generated a user spend of £436 million and associated employment related to this spend of 9,771 full time equivalent jobs being sustained. (Unlocking our Coastal Heritage along the South West Coast Path National Trail: Report on the £2.1m Unlocking our Coastal Heritage Project
The Welsh Coast path officially opened in May 2012 and had an estimated 2.82 million visits between October 2012 and September 2013; 2.45 million of these were by adults (defined as those aged 16 years or over). Gross expenditure by adult visitors on these trips was estimated at £32.3 million. (The Wales Coast Path Visitor Survey : The Economic Impact of Wales Coast Path Visitor Spending on Wales October though it should be noted that it is not a national trail and does not have a ‘roll back’ provision.

6. Economic benefits
South West Coast Path generated a user spend of £436 million (2012)
The Welsh Coast path had an estimated 2.82 million visits between October 2012 and September 2013; Gross expenditure by adult visitors on these trips was estimated at £32.3 million
In 2012, the South West Coast Path generated a user spend of £436 million and associated employment related to this spend of 9,771 full time equivalent jobs being sustained. (Unlocking our Coastal Heritage along the South West Coast Path National Trail: Report on the £2.1m Unlocking our Coastal Heritage Project
The Welsh Coast path officially opened in May 2012 and had an estimated 2.82 million visits between October 2012 and September 2013; 2.45 million of these were by adults (defined as those aged 16 years or over). Gross expenditure by adult visitors on these trips was estimated at £32.3 million. (The Wales Coast Path Visitor Survey : The Economic Impact of Wales Coast Path Visitor Spending on Wales October though it should be noted that it is not a national trail and does not have a ‘roll back’ provision.
Reference:

7. Access and Sensitive Features Appraisal
We look at the impacts on sensitive wildlife sites and undertake a Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA)
We propose avoidance and mitigation measures, if proposals are likely to affect important sites.
We will work with the our own planners and wildlife experts, as well as with outside organisations to ensure minimum impacts.
Key points:
SPA/SAC/SSSI/ RAMSAR/MCZ
When considering NE will be treated as any other applicant in terms of the assessment
Working closely with Paul Hyde to make sure that we take into account all the impacts
One person looking into the combined impact of all of the routes
Change from Swale SPA to Medway Estuary & Marshes SPA – impact on both from both stretches of ECP to be considered

8. Balancing public & private interests
Public interest
Proximity of the trail to the sea
Views of the sea from the trail
Safety and convenience
Continuity of the trail
Operational needs
Income
Privacy
Changes of use
In relation to the trail, Natural England is required by section 297(2) of the 2009 Act to have specific regard to:
■ the safety and convenience of those using the route;
■ the desirability of it adhering to the periphery of the coast and providing views
of the sea; and
■ the desirability of ensuring that, so far as is reasonably practicable, interruptions to it are kept to a minimum.
4.1.2 Since in many places there will be a choice as to the route, with each option fulfilling each of these considerations to varying degrees, it is for Natural England in its proposals to the Secretary of State to propose the balance to be struck between them on each stretch of coast.
4.1.3 The extent to which spreading room should be available to the public is relevant in striking this balance, because it is affected by our proposals about the position of the route, and may be affected by our proposals about:
■ places where the landward boundary of the coastal margin should coincide with a physical feature (see section 4.8); and
■ any local exclusions or restrictions we think are necessary.

9. The Coastal Margin

10. Development of the Coast Path
Stage 2 of WSI started September 2015 –
Stage 2/3 summer 2016
Stage 3 Report Autumn 2016
Stage 1 Iwade to Grain (Hoo) starts Christmas
Stage 2 may take a year, from spring 2016,
Stage 3 report – spring 2017

11. National Delivery 67 stretches nationally ~2700 miles/ 4345Km
All stretches started by 2017
2020 target for completion
164Km open for use already
further 344Km of route approved
4800 Km of coast
164Km open for use
Work started on 998Km (~1000km)
Formal proposals for 315Km

12. Delivery in Kent and East Sussex

13. Whitstable to Iwade
Stage 1 Iwade to Grain (Hoo) starts Christmas
Stage 2 may take a year, from spring 2016,
Stage 3 report – spring 2017
Open by Autumn 2018
1: Christmas : Spring : Spring : Autumn 2018

14. Faversham and Oare Creeks
Stage 1 Iwade to Grain (Hoo) starts Christmas
Stage 2 may take a year, from spring 2016,
Stage 3 report – spring 2017
Open by Autumn 2018
1: Christmas : Spring : Spring : Autumn 2018

15. Any Questions? E-mail: southeastcoastalaccess@naturalengland.org.uk
Telephone:
Any Questions?

17. Faversham Creek
Stage 1 Iwade to Grain (Hoo) starts Christmas
Stage 2 may take a year, from spring 2016,
Stage 3 report – spring 2017
Open by Autumn 2018
1: Christmas : Spring : Spring : Autumn 2018