Notice by the Secretary of State under section 52 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949: Felixstowe Ferry to Bawdsey, lengths FFB2 and FFB3
Published 5 May 2023
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2023
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coastal-access-section-52-notice-for-felixstowe-ferry-to-bawdsey/notice-by-the-secretary-of-state-under-section-52-of-the-national-parks-and-access-to-the-countryside-act-1949-felixstowe-ferry-to-bawdsey-lengths
Introduction
On 9 December 2020 Natural England submitted a compendium of coastal access reports relating to the stretch of land between Felixstowe Ferry to Bawdsey in Suffolk 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”).
This determination only relates to lengths FFB2 and FFB3. The proposals for the stretches FFB1, FFB4, FFB5 & FFB6 are currently with the Planning Inspectorate.
In reaching a determination under section 52 of the 1949 Act the Secretary of State has considered:
a. Felixstowe Ferry to Bawdsey length reports FFB2 and FFB3 – part of Natural England’s coastal access report compendium for Felixstowe Ferry to Bawdsey submitted to the Secretary of State on 9 December 2020.
b. 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 December 2021.
In this notice –
(a) “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 FFB2 and FFB3 in relation to which no objections were made.
- 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 A to this notice.
The Secretary of State has made available at www.gov.uk:
a. a copy of this notice
b. representations 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 December 2021
c. summary of other representations, and Natural England’s comments on those representations, which it sent to the Secretary of State in December 2021.
Natural England has also made available here:
d. Felixstowe Ferry to Bawdsey - the compendium of coastal access reports.
Annex A: Conclusions and observations on representations
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/FFB2/R/64/FFB0625
Name of representation:
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB2 – S010
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State notes that Natural England has fully considered the impact on local wildlife sites and is satisfied that the proposed route is the most appropriate available.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/89/FFB0453
Name of representation:
The Ramblers
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S001 to FFB-2-S038
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes support for Natural England’s proposals and is satisfied that Natural England has identified the most appropriate route.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/10/FFB0462
Name of representation:
Private individual
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S001 to FFB-2-S022
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes the support for Natural England’s proposal.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/11/FFB0567
Name of representation:
Private individual
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S001 to FFB-2-S022
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes the support for Natural England’s proposal.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/21/FFB0494
Name of representation:
Waldringfield Parish Council
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S001 to FFB-2-S022
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes the support for Natural England’s proposal.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/32/FFB0573
Name of representation:
Private individuals
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S001 to FFB-2-S022
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes the support for Natural England’s proposal.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/102/FFB0438
Name of representation:
Martlesham Parish Council
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S001 to FFB-2-S022
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State welcomes the support for Natural England’s proposal.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/102/FFB0438
Name of representation:
Martlesham Parish Council
Length Report and route section(s):
Sea wall east from FFB-2-S022, Existing Footpath 15.
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State is satisfied that there will be no adverse effects on existing public rights of way in the area.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/19/FFB0471
Name of representation:
Private individual
Length Report and route section(s):
Sea wall east from FFB-2-S022, Existing Footpath 15.
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State is satisfied that there will be no adverse effects on existing public rights of way in the area.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/3/FFB0449
Name of representation:
Private individual
Length Report and route section(s):
Sea wall east from FFB-2-S022, Existing Footpath 15.
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State is satisfied that there will be no adverse effects on existing public rights of way in the area.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/9/FFB0486
Name of representation:
Private individuals
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S001 to FFB-2-S031
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State notes the representation and Natural England’s comments in relation to legislation. Is satisfied Natural England has considered the alignment options for the Deben Estuary and proposed the most appropriate route.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/80/FFB0606
Name of representation:
Private individual
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S001 to FFB-2-S031
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State notes the representation and Natural England’s comments in relation to legislation. Is satisfied Natural England has considered the alignment options for the Deben Estuary and proposed the most appropriate route.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/73/FFB0467
Name of representation:
Private individual
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S001 to FFB-2-S031
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Secretary of State notes the representation and Natural England’s comments in relation to legislation. Is satisfied Natural England has considered the alignment options for the Deben Estuary and proposed the most appropriate route.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/80/FFB0606
Name of representation:
Private individual
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S001 through to FFB-2-S034
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation
Secretary of State notes the representation and Natural England’s comments. Considers that the roads referred to in the representation are not suitable for the route of a National Trail at present. Is satisfied Natural England has proposed the most appropriate route available and has fully considered the impact on local wildlife sites.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/91/FFB0612
Name of representation:
Private individuals
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S001 through to FFB-2-S034
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation
Secretary of State notes the representation and Natural England’s comments. Considers that the roads referred to in the representation are not suitable for the route of a National Trail at present. Is satisfied Natural England has proposed the most appropriate route available and has fully considered the impact on local wildlife sites.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/24/FFB0107
Name of representation:
Private individuals
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S001 through to FFB-2-S034
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation
Secretary of State notes the representation and Natural England’s comments. Considers that the roads referred to in the representation are not suitable for the route of a National Trail at present. Is satisfied Natural England has proposed the most appropriate route available and has fully considered the impact on local wildlife sites.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/25/FFB0363
Name of representation:
Private individual
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S001 to FFB-2-S031
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation
Secretary of State welcomes the support for Natural England’s proposal.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/102/FFB0438
Name of representation:
Martlesham Parish Council
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S001 to FFB-2-S022
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation
Secretary of State notes the representation and Natural England’s comments. Is satisfied that the trail will be correctly established, including appropriate signage, and maintained. Is satisfied that the measures Natural England implement on the ground will protect local wildlife.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/1/FFB0471
Name of representation:
Private individual
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S015 to FFB-2-S038
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation
Secretary of State notes the representation and Natural England’s comments. Is satisfied that the trail alignment Natural England proposes provides views where it is possible to do so, whilst meeting the criteria it must adhere to.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/3/FFB0449
Name of representation:
Private individual
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB 2a and FFB 2b
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation
Secretary of State welcomes the support for Natural England’s proposal. Recognises the many health benefits access to nature can provide. Is satisfied Natural England has fully considered the impact on local wildlife sites.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/9/FFB0486
Name of representation:
Private individuals
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-5007 and FFB-2-5008
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation
Secretary of State notes the representation and Natural England’s comments. Is satisfied Natural England has proposed the most appropriate route available. Encourages the owners of the property referenced to contact Suffolk County Council should any significant issues arise after the new rights commence.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/24/FFB0107
Name of representation:
Private individuals
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S001
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation
Secretary of State notes the representation and Natural England’s comments. Is satisfied Natural England has fully considered, and assessed, the impact on local wildlife sites and has proposed the most appropriate route available.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/73/FFB0467
Name of representation:
Private individuals
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S001, FFB-2-S002
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation
Secretary of State notes the representation and Natural England’s comments. Is satisfied that the alignment of the trail will not have an adverse impact on nearby property. Is satisfied Natural England has fully considered the impact on local wildlife sites.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/41/FFB0575
Name of representation:
Private individual
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-2-S0023 to FFB-2-S038
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation
Secretary of State notes the representation and thanks the individual for this update.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/91/FFB0612
Name of representation:
Private individuals
Length Report and route section(s):
Proposed path, land to seaward of proposed path and saltmarsh between FFB-2-S001 through to FFB-2-S034
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation
Secretary of State notes the representation and Natural England’s comments. Notes that Natural England has fully considered the impact on local wildlife sites and the safety of those using the trail and is satisfied that the proposed route alignment is appropriate.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/35/FFB0008
Name of representation:
Disabled Ramblers
Length Report and route section(s):
- Report FFB 2: All route sections generally
- Maps FFB 2a and 2b: Route sections FFB-2-S001 to FFB-2-S015
- Map FFB 2b: Route sections FFB-2-S016, FFB-2-S018 to FFB-2-S022, FFB-2-S029 to FFB-2- S032 and FFB-2-S034
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation
Secretary of State welcomes the Disabled Ramblers’ comments regarding trail infrastructure. Is satisfied that Natural England will work with Suffolk County Council, as the access authority who have responsibility for establishing and maintaining the trail, to ensure all users are considered and structures and surfacing meets all necessary legislation, including that designed to protect wildlife and the protection of the flood defence systems.
Representation number: MCA/FFB2/R/62/FFB0627
Name of representation:
Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB2-S010
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation
Secretary of State notes the representation and Natural England’s comments. Notes that Natural England has fully considered the impact on local wildlife sites and is satisfied that, with screening put in place, the proposed route alignment is appropriate. Should new information come to light, or circumstances change, then the route and restrictions can be reviewed in the future.
Representation number: MCA/FFB3/R/90/FFB0513
Name of representation:
Melton Parish Council
Length Report and route section(s):
FFB-3-S011FP to FFB-3-S068 FP
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation
Secretary of State welcomes the support for improved coastal access. Is satisfied Natural England has fully considered the impact on local wildlife sites. Notes that no new access rights to saltmarsh and mudflat would be established and that the trail mainly follows existing rights of way. Requests that Melton Parish Council contacts Natural England should specific concerns arise.