Notice by the Secretary of State under section 52 [and 55(1)] of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949: Douglas Boatyard, Hesketh Bank (VR31)
Updated 12 March 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coastal-access-section-52-notice-for-cleveleys-to-pier-head-liverpool/notice-by-the-secretary-of-state-under-section-52-and-551-of-the-national-parks-and-access-to-the-countryside-act-1949-douglas-boatyard-hesketh
Introduction
On 7 October 2020 Natural England submitted a compendium of coastal access reports relating to the stretch of land between Cleveleys to Pier Head to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under section 51 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (“the 1949 Act”), pursuant to its duty under section 296(1) of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (“the 2009 Act”).
On 31 August 2021 the Secretary of State gave notice under Section 52(2) that the proposals for lengths four and six of the Cleveleys to Pier Head stetch were approved (“the approved coastal access provisions”).
On 27 November 2025, under section 55(1) of the 1949 Act, Natural England submitted a coastal access variation report relating to proposed changes to the approved coastal access provisions (“the coastal access variation report”) to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The coastal access variation report proposed changes to the approved coastal access provisions on the Cleveleys to Pier Head, Liverpool stretch at Douglas Boatyard.
In reaching their determination under section 52 of the 1949 Act the Secretary of State has considered:
a. proposed changes to the England Coast Path at Douglas Boatyard - Natural England’s coastal access variation report submitted to the Secretary of State on 27 November 2025
b. in accordance with paragraph 16(1)(d) of the Schedule, a representation made by a person within paragraph 2(2)(b) to (f) of the Schedule, and Natural England’s comments on that representation which it sent to the Secretary of State in January 2026
In this notice –
(a) “objection” means an objection about the coastal access report which is made under paragraph 3 of the Schedule
(b) “representation” means a representation about the coastal access report which is made under paragraph 7 of the Schedule
Secretary of State’s approval of coastal access proposals
The Secretary of State has determined to approve in full the proposals for the route and associated coastal margin as set out in the coastal access variation report, in relation to which no objections were made.
The Secretary of State’s additional conclusions and observations on representations are at Annex A.
The approved variation to the route is set out at Annex B.
The Secretary of State has made available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-cleveleys-to-pier-head-liverpool:
a. a copy of this notice
Natural England has also made available here:
b. proposed changes to the England Coast Path in Suffolk at Douglas Boatyard – the coastal access variation report
Annex A: Conclusions and observations on representations
The Secretary of State has considered, in relation to the coastal access variation report, the following representations made under paragraph 7 of the Schedule.
Representation number: MCA/CPH-VR31/R/1/1628
Organisation/ person making representation: [redacted], Open Spaces Society
Route sections specific to this representation: full report
Other reports within stretch to which this representation also relates: N/A
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State acknowledges the Open Spaces Society’s support of the proposed variance and thanks them for their feedback.
The Secretary of State agrees with Natural England’s position and understand that they are working with the landowner regarding the alignment of the public footpath, and that all landward areas will become Coastal Margin. Whether the boatyard remains accessible depends on final boundaries and operational needs.
Representations containing similar or identical points
Representation ID and organisation or person making representation:
MCA/CPH-VR31/R/4/1692 [redacted], Douglas Boatyard (landowner)
MCA/CPH-VR31/R/2/1696 [redacted], Becconsall Heritage Park CIC
MCA/CPH-VR31/R/3/0810 [redacted] (member of the public; landowner on different part of the KCIIIECP)
Name of site: full report
Report map reference: Map VR31
Route sections on or adjacent to the land: all sections
Other reports within stretch to which this representation also relates N/A
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State acknowledges the representations submitted regarding the proposed variance and thanks the individuals and Becconsall Heritage Park CIC for their feedback.
The Secretary of State agrees with Natural England’s position regarding the fence installation, that the realignment of the trail, alongside clear signage, will appropriately manage and improve safer access.
Representations containing similar or identical points
Representation ID and organisation or person making representation:
MCA/CPH-VR31/R/4/1692 [redacted], Douglas Boatyard (landowner)
MCA/CPH-VR31/R/2/1696 [redacted], Becconsall Heritage Park CIC
MCA/CPH-VR31/R/3/0810 [redacted] (member of the public; owner on different part of the KCIIIECP)
Name of site: full report
Report map reference: Map VR31
Route sections on or adjacent to the land: all sections
Other reports within stretch to which this representation also relates: N/A
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State acknowledges the representations submitted regarding the proposed variance and thanks the individuals and Becconsall Heritage Park CIC for their feedback.
The Secretary of State agrees with Natural England’s position that any decisions regarding this access are outside of the scope of this Variation Report.
Representation ID: MCA/CPH-VR31/R/4/1692
Organisation or person making representation: [redacted], Douglas Marine Ltd (Landowner)
Name of site: full report
Report map reference: Map VR31
Route sections on or adjacent to the land: CPH-VR31-S001 to S003
Other reports within stretch to which this representation also relates: N/A
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State acknowledges the landowner’s support of the proposed variance and thanks them for their feedback.
The Secretary of State agrees with Natural England’s position regarding the fence installation, that the realignment of the trail, alongside clear signage and waymarking, will sufficiently support navigation and appropriately manage the safety of the varied route.
The Secretary of State agrees to approve sections CPH‑VR31‑S001b to CPH‑VR31‑S003 of the revised route in line with the proposals contained within this variation report.
Representation ID: MCA/CPH-VR31/R/2/1696
Organisation or person making representation: [redacted], Becconsall Heritage Park CIC
Name of site: full report
Report map reference: Map VR31
Route sections on or adjacent to the land: CPH-VR31-S001 to S003
Other reports within stretch to which this representation also relates: N/A
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State acknowledges the Becconsall Heritage Park CIC’s support of the proposed variance and thanks them for their feedback.
The Secretary of State agrees with Natural England’s position to install a 2m wide, compacted stone path to improve accessibility and that the access authority will schedule any necessary works appropriately regarding the bird nesting season.
The Secretary of State also agrees with Natural England’s position regarding the provision of fencing on the varied route, that the realignment of the trail, alongside clear signage, will appropriately manage and improve safe access.