Decision

Notice by the Secretary of State under section 52 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949: Gretna to Allonby - Longcroft and Whitrigg MR3

Updated 30 September 2026

Applies to England

Introduction

On 14 August 2024, Natural England submitted a coastal access report for the stretch of land from Anthorn Marsh to Whitrigg Bridge, proposing modifications to the previously submitted route, for determination by 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. Gretna to Allonby Modification Report 3 (MR3) – Natural England’s coastal access report submitted to the Secretary of State on 14 August 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 January 2025

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 with modification those proposals for the route and associated coastal margin as set out in the coastal access report.

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.

Where proposals are approved with modification, any additional conclusions and observations of the Secretary of State in relation to representations would normally be set out in this notice. No representations were received in respect of the modification, so no additional conclusions or observations are included.

In the respects specified in the objections 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 those objections relate.

The Secretary of State has made available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-gretna-to-allonby:

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 December 2020

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 in January 2025

Natural England has also made available here:

e. Gretna to Allonby Modification Report 3 (MR3): the coastal access report

Annex A: Objections which did not fail to strike a “fair balance”

Objection Reference: MCA/GAL/MR3/O/1/0917
The land in the Report to which this objection relates includes route section GAL-MR3-S001. 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 in relation to the issues raised concerning livestock safety, land management, privacy, or the suitability of the proposed alignment.

The area covered by the proposed route section shows no recent evidence of grazing or active agricultural management, and leaving a specific short section unfenced will not restrict cattle movements or interfere with existing farm operations.  Also, with the addition of mitigation measures, including the option to relocate a drinking trough if necessary, appropriate signage, and dog‑on‑lead restrictions where required, adequately address the concerns raised.

Consequently, the Secretary of State approves the proposals in relation to this route section.

Objection Reference: MCA/GAL/MR3/O/2/0917
The land in the Report to which this objection relates includes route sections GAL-MR3-S002 and GAL-MR3-S003. The Secretary of State notes the detailed consideration and recommendations of the appointed person regarding this objection and agrees with the conclusion that the proposed sections of the King Charles III England Coast Path are unlikely to give rise to significant adverse impacts in relation to livestock safety, land management, nature conservation, privacy, or land value.

The Secretary of State acknowledges that where a dairy bull is kept in the field, robust fencing to segregate walkers from livestock may be required. Also, with the addition of mitigation measures, including the option to relocate a drinking trough if necessary, appropriate signage, and dog‑on‑lead restrictions where required adequately address the concerns raised.

The Secretary of State also agrees that the suggested highway alternative is unsuitable as the main route, as it does not meet the criteria set out in the Coastal Access Scheme, and notes that concerns about land value are unsupported, as there is no evidence that establishing the coast path reduces land value.

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/GAL/MR3/R/1/0020
Organisation or person making representation: [redacted] (The Ramblers and Open Spaces Society)

Route sections specific to this representation:  Described on the representation form as relating to GAL-3-S033 to S036, but assumed to actually relate to GAL-MR3-S001 to S004

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 Ramblers and Open Spaces Society’s concerns regarding the safety and suitability of roadside walking as a result of the modification. However, the Secretary of State supports Natural England’s position that, in light of the inspector’s earlier concerns and land management constraints, the proposed modification offers the best achievable balance between ensuring a safe, workable route for walkers and addressing the practical needs of affected landowners and occupiers, while still retaining a meaningful length of off road estuary side walking. Any risks on the roadside section will be mitigated through measures agreed with Cumberland Council.