Notice by the Secretary of State under section 52 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949: Eastbourne to Camber length EBC8
Updated 30 September 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-eastbourne-to-camber/notice-by-the-secretary-of-state-under-section-52-of-the-national-parks-and-access-to-the-countryside-act-1949-eastbourne-to-camber-length-ebc8
Introduction
On 31 July 2024 Natural England submitted a coastal access report relating to the stretch of land between Eastbourne and Camber 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”).
In reaching a determination under section 52 of the 1949 Act the Secretary of State has considered:
a. Eastbourne to Camber 8 – Natural England’s coastal access report submitted to the Secretary of State on 31 July 2024
b. in accordance with paragraph 16(1)(a) of the Schedule, the objections which the appointed person determined to be admissible objections
c. in accordance with paragraph 16(1)(b) of the Schedule, Natural England’s comments on the admissible objections which it sent to the Secretary of State
d. in accordance with paragraph 16(1)(c) of the Schedule, the report given to the Secretary of State by the appointed person in respect of the objections which the appointed person determined to be admissible objections
e. in accordance with paragraph 16(1)(d) of the Schedule, representations made by a person within paragraph 2(2)(b) to (f) of the Schedule and the summary of other representations made, and Natural England’s comments on those representations which it sent to the Secretary of State in October 2024
In this notice –
(a) “objection” means an objection about the coastal access report which is made under paragraph 3 of Schedule 20 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
(b) “representation” means a representation about the coastal access report which is made under paragraph 7 of Schedule 20 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
Secretary of State’s approval of coastal access proposals
The Secretary of State has determined to approve those proposals for the route and associated coastal margin as set out in length reports EBC8.
In the respects specified in the objection set out at Annex A to this notice, the Secretary of State determines that the proposals set out in the coastal access report do not fail to strike a “fair balance” as a result of the matters specified in the objections. The Secretary of State therefore approves the proposals set out in the coastal access report so far as they relate to those parts of the route (and associated coastal margin) to which the objection relates.
Where proposals are approved in full, the additional conclusions and observations of the Secretary of State in relation to the representations are set out at Annex B to this notice.
The Secretary of State has made available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-eastbourne-to-camber:
a. a copy of this notice
b. the reports on the objections given to them by the appointed person
c. representations submitted against the original report made by a person within paragraph 2(2)(b) to (f) of the Schedule, and Natural England’s comments on those representations, which it sent to the Secretary of State in October 2024
d. summary of other representations submitted against the original report, and Natural England’s comments on those representations, which it sent to the Secretary of State on in October 2024
Natural England has also made available here:
e. Eastbourne to Camber 8: the coastal access report
Annex A: Objections which did not fail to strike a “fair balance”
Objection Reference: MCA/Eastbourne to Camber 8/O/1/EBC1085
The land in the Report to which this objection relates includes route section EBC-8-S023. The Secretary of State notes the consideration and recommendation of the appointed person regarding this objection and agrees with the Inspector’s conclusion that the proposed sections of the King Charles III England Coast Path are unlikely to cause significant negative impacts concerning the issues raised around increased anti-social behaviour and the legal status of the existing path.
The Secretary of State supports Natural England’s position that there is no evidence coastal access rights would increase unlawful activity, and that increased public use may in fact help deter such behaviour. The Secretary of State also notes that the section in question is recorded as a public right of way and that establishing the King Charles III England Coast Path along this alignment will secure permanent pedestrian access without affecting existing land management.
Consequently, the Secretary of State approves the proposals in relation to this route section.
Objection Reference: MCA/Eastbourne to Camber 8/O/2/EBC1085
The land in the Report to which this objection relates includes route sections EBC-8-S074 to EBC-8-S079. The Secretary of State notes the consideration and recommendation of the appointed person regarding this objection and agrees with the Inspector’s conclusion that the proposed sections of the King Charles III England Coast Path are unlikely to cause significant negative impacts concerning the issues raised around the proposed timing of designation before completion of the Environment Agency’s flood-defence works and Natural England’s use of estuary discretion powers.
The Secretary of State supports Natural England’s position that the approved flood-defence plans already define the future alignment of the trail along the new embankment and that there is no need to delay designation; practical matters such as fencing and grazing access can be addressed through liaison between the landowner, the Environment Agency, and Natural England in the future. The Secretary of State also notes that the nearby Sustrans route may be used temporarily until the new embankment footpath is open and agrees that the decision to extend the trail up the Rother Estuary is justified under the Coastal Access Scheme.
Consequently, the Secretary of State approves the proposals in relation to these route sections.
Objection Reference: MCA/Eastbourne to Camber 8/O/3/EBC0136
The land in the Report to which this objection relates includes route sections EBC-8-S079 to EBC-8-S094. The Secretary of State notes the consideration and recommendation of the appointed person regarding this objection and agrees with the Inspector’s conclusion that the proposed sections of the King Charles III England Coast Path are unlikely to cause significant negative impacts concerning the issues raised around walker safety, disruption to golf play and the golf club’s operations, the extent of the landward coastal margin, and the suggestion to use the Sustrans route as an alternative alignment.
The Secretary of State supports Natural England’s position that safety risks within the golf course can be managed effectively through measures such as signage without the need to divert the route inland or construct a boardwalk. The Secretary of State also notes that the inland Sustrans route is a less suitable alternative, being further from the coast and inconsistent with the principles of the Coastal Access Scheme.
With regard to the landward coastal margin, the Secretary of State supports Natural England’s approach to use the existing rabbit fence as the practical inland boundary and agrees that if the golf club installs a new fence prior to final approval, this may be adopted as the revised boundary.
Consequently, the Secretary of State approves the proposals in relation to this route section.
Objection Reference: MCA/Eastbourne to Camber 8/O/4/EBC2132
The land in the Report to which this objection relates includes route section EBC-8-S024. The Secretary of State notes the consideration and recommendation of the appointed person regarding this objection and agrees with the Inspector’s conclusion that the proposed section of the King Charles III England Coast Path is unlikely to cause significant negative impacts concerning the issues raised around anti-social behaviour, privacy, and landowner rights.
The Secretary of State supports Natural England’s position that the route follows an existing public right of way already in regular use, located over 100 metres from the objectors’ property and screened by natural vegetation and land features.
The Secretary of State further notes that Natural England has complied with all consultation and notification requirements under the Coastal Access Scheme, and that establishing the King Charles III England Coast Path along this alignment will formalise existing access without affecting the objectors’ management of their land.
Consequently, the Secretary of State approves the proposals in relation to these route sections.
Annex B: Conclusions and observations on representations without modifications
The Secretary of State has considered, in relation to the coastal access report, the following representations made under paragraph 7 of the Schedule
Representation number: MCA/EBC8/R/01/EBC0056
Organisation or person making representation: Environment Agency
Route sections specific to this representation: EBC-8-S013 to EBC-8-S020; EBC-8-S080; EBC-8-S090
Other reports within stretch to which this representation also relates: n/a
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State notes the Environment Agency’s comments regarding contamination risk, drainage, dune movement, and flood management. However, the Secretary of State supports Natural England’s position that these matters have already been appropriately addressed through engagement and ongoing liaison with the Environment Agency, East Sussex County Council, and the Sussex Wildlife Trust, and that no changes to the proposals are necessary.
Representation number: MCA/EBC8/R/02/EBC0018
Organisation or person making representation: Ramblers
Route sections specific to this representation: EBC-8-S001 to EBC-8-S105
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 Ramblers’ endorsement of the proposals and notes their concern regarding the temporary closure of the public right of way between Monk Bretton Bridge and Rye Golf Club due to flood-defence works. However, the Secretary of State supports Natural England’s approach to use the nearby Sustrans route as a temporary diversion until the new embankment footpath is available.
Representation number: MCA/EBC8/R/03/EBC0048
Organisation/ person making representation: Rights of Way & Countryside Access Team, East Sussex County Council
Route sections specific to this representation: EBC-8-S001 to EBC-8-S105
Other reports within stretch to which this representation also relates: n/a
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State acknowledges East Sussex County Council’s endorsement for the proposed route and thanks them for their positive feedback.
Representation number: MCA/EBC8/R/04/EBC0156
Organisation or person making representation: [redacted] (Sussex Wildlife Trust)
Route sections specific to this representation: Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
Report map reference: EBC 8a to EBC 8f
Route sections on or adjacent to the land: EBC-8-S013 to EBC-8-S025
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 Sussex Wildlife Trust’s endorsement of the proposals and notes their concerns regarding emergency vehicle access, signage, and responsibilities for establishment and maintenance works. However, the Secretary of State supports Natural England’s position that emergency vehicle access will be maintained, as no new infrastructure will impede movement. Establishment works, including surfacing, signage, and waymarking, will be delivered by East Sussex County Council using grant funding, and ongoing maintenance will be managed by the South East England Coast Path Partnership.
Representation number: MCA/EBC8/R/05/EBC2389
Organisation or person making representation: [redacted] (South East England Coast Path Local Trail Partnership)
Route sections specific to this representation: Whole Report
Report map reference: EBC 8a to EBC 8f
Route sections on or adjacent to the land: Whole 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 South East England Coast Path Local Trail Partnership (SEECP)’s endorsement of the proposals and its interest in the clarification of maintenance responsibilities. The Secretary of State notes that the SEECP will receive funding from Natural England to help maintain the trail to National Trail standards, with East Sussex County Council, as the local Access Authority, taking the lead on maintenance in coordination with the Partnership.