King Charles III England Coast Path: Isle of Wight
Find out about the progress of improving coastal access – including maps, process and timing – on the Isle of Wight.
Map of the stretch
Natural England has begun to investigate how to improve coastal access along a 101km stretch of the Isle of Wight coast.
Officers from Isle of Wight Council are providing Natural England with expert local advice and helping to make sure there is full consultation with local interests during the development of the route.
East Cowes to Wootton Bridge
Stage 2 and 3: Develop and Propose
Natural England is visiting the land on this section of coast that is likely to be affected by our proposals and discussing the options in detail with:
- people who own or manage the land
- relevant local and national organisations who have an interest in the stretch
After final discussions have been held with those who have a legal interest in the land, Natural England will begin refining and checking their proposals to improve access to this stretch of coast.
Once published, the report will be available on GOV.UK and advertised in the local press.
Copies of the report will be placed in council offices and other appropriate locations in the local area for people to view.
Wootton Bridge to the Medina
Stage 4: Determine
On 18 March 2020, Natural England submitted a collection of reports to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs setting out the proposals for improved access to the coast on the Isle of Wight.
The period for making representations and objections about the reports closed at midnight on 9 June 2020. The reports are still available to view.
Objections are forwarded for consideration by an independent planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State. The inspector will make recommendations to the Secretary of State in respect of each one.
Natural England may not make any further changes to the reports as a result of the representations and objections, but will make comments about them for consideration by the Secretary of State and, in the case of objections, by the appointed person (an inspector from the Planning Inspectorate).
The Secretary of State will consider all the representations and objections before making a decision about Natural England’s reports. The reports in the collection may get approval at the same time. Some of them may need further consideration.
You can see the current status of the collection in the table.
| Report number and title | Stage 4 | Stage 5 (approved) |
|---|---|---|
| IOW 2: Wootton to Culver Down | Not yet determined | |
| IOW 3: Culver Down to Binnel Bay | Not yet determined | |
| IOW 4: Binnel Bay to Chilton Chine | 6 April 2022 | |
| IOW 5: Chilton Chine to Colwell Chine | 6 April 2022 | |
| IOW 6: Colwell Chine to Hamstead Point | Not yet determined | |
| IOW 7: Hamstead Point to Thorness Bay | Not yet determined | |
| IOW 8: Thorness Bay to Gurnard Luck | 5 May 2023 | |
| IOW 9: Gurnard Luck to West Cowes Chain Ferry | 5 May 2023 | |
| IOW 10: The Medina | Not yet determined |
Variation reports on approved sections
Sometimes it’s necessary to change sections of an approved route. The proposed changes are published as variation reports. Anyone can comment (make a representation) on these proposals. Affected landowners and occupiers can make an objection.
Proposals to change the approved route at Headon Warren (VR1)
On 28 March 2024, the Secretary of State announced their decision to approve the variation report for Headon Warren (VR1).
This change affects a section of the approved stretch IOW 5: Chilton Chine to Colwell Chine. Following approval, confusion over the ownership of a hedge along the route means the installation of some key infrastructure is no longer possible. A realignment of this section is now necessary, and the proposed changes are detailed in the report.
The period for making representations and objections about the report closed at midnight on Friday 12 May 2023. The report is still available to view.
Modification reports
Sometimes it’s necessary to change sections of a previously proposed route, in response to objections. When necessary, the proposed changes may be published as modification reports. Anyone can comment (make a representation) on these proposals. Affected landowners and occupiers can make an objection.
Proposals to change the proposed route at Luccombe (MR1)
On Wednesday 9 August 2023, Natural England submitted a modification report to the Secretary of State setting out revised proposals for the route of the England Coast Path on the Isle of Wight at Luccombe (MR1).
This change affects a section of the proposed stretch IOW 3: Culver Down to Binnel Bay. A part of the original route was lost due to cliff movement. It proposes realigning this section landward of the original route and the proposed changes are detailed in the report.
The period for making representations and objections about the reports closed at midnight on Wednesday 4 October 2023. The report is still available to view.
Proposals to change the proposed route at Shanklin Chine (MR2)
On Wednesday 9 August 2023, Natural England submitted a modification report to the Secretary of State setting out revised proposals for the route of the England Coast Path on the Isle of Wight at Shanklin Chine (MR2).
This change affects a section of the proposed stretch IOW 3: Culver Down to Binnel Bay. A part of the original route was lost due to cliff movement. It proposes realigning this section landward of the original route and the proposed changes are detailed in the report.
The period for making representations and objections about the reports closed at midnight midnight on Wednesday 4 October 2023. The report is still available to view.
Next steps
Stage 5: Open
Once the Secretary of State has approved 1 or more of the reports, Natural England will start work with the Isle of Wight Council on preparing the route for public use.
The first step will be to contact owners and occupiers of the affected land to discuss the design and location of any new infrastructure which is required such as signs and gates.
When preparations are complete, new access rights will be brought into force along the route and adjoining spreading room.
Find out more about the England Coast Path
See information about all stretches in preparation around England’s coast.
The coastal access scheme gives details of the process being followed to improve access to the coast.
Contact the coastal access team
Contact Natural England with any comments, suggestions or queries you have about improving coastal access.
Coastal access team (South)
Natural England
Mail Hub
County Hall
Spetchley Road
Worcester
WR5 2NP
Email southcoastalaccess@naturalengland.org.uk
Telephone 0300 060 3900
See the map below for information about progress on improving coastal access in other parts of the South
Last updated 28 March 2024 + show all updates
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Page updated to show the variation report VR1 has been approved.
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Page updated with information about the modification reports for Luccombe (MR1) and Shanklin Chine (MR2).
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Page updated to show the proposals for IOW8 and IOW9 have been approved.
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Details of the variation report VR1 have been added to the page.
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Added table showing the reports which make up the collection. Page updated to show that 2 of the 9 reports have received Secretary of State approval.
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Updated Covid-19 statement with new deadline for submission of comments.
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Added Covid-19 statement to page.
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Page updated to show this stretch (with the exception of the East Cowes to Wotton Bridge section) is now at stage 4.
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Removed the sentence giving a date for when access is expected to be ready. Publication of the report is expected in winter 2020.
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Dates amended: publication of report now expected in 2019. Access expected to be ready in 2020.
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Updated page to show this stretch is now at stage 2/3.
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First published.