Notice by the Secretary of State under section 52 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 Lulworth Cove to Kimmeridge Bay (LCK1 and LCK3)
Published 2 October 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-lulworth-cove-to-kimmeridge-bay/notice-by-the-secretary-of-state-under-section-52-of-the-national-parks-and-access-to-the-countryside-act-1949-lulworth-cove-to-kimmeridge-bay-lck1-a
Introduction
On 23 July 2025 Natural England submitted a compendium of coastal access reports relating to the stretch of coast between Lulworth Cove to Kimmeridge Bay 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. Lulworth Cove to Kimmeridge Bay reports LCK1 and LCK3 – part of Natural England’s coastal access report compendium for Lulworth Cove to Kimmeridge Bay submitted to the Secretary of State on 23 July 2025.
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 February 2026.
c. Section 245 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 imposes a duty upon the Secretary of State, when exercising any function which has any effect upon land in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (now known as a National Landscape) to seek to the further the purposes of those areas. In this case the creation of coastal access in and around these Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty may have an effect upon them. However, in making this decision the Secretary of State has sought to further the purpose of the conservation and enhancement of these Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by satisfying itself that no harm will come to these areas as a result of the creation of the new coastal access.
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 LCK1 and LCK3.
The Secretary of State determines that the proposals set out in the coastal access report do not fail to strike a “fair balance”. 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).
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 https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-lulworth-cove-to-highcliffe:
a. a copy of this notice
b. the reports on the objections given to them by the appointed person
c. 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 February 2026
d. summary of other representations, and Natural England’s comments on those representations, which it sent to the Secretary of State in February 2026
Natural England has also made available here:
e. Lulworth Cove to Kimmeridge Bay - 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/LCK/R/3/LCK2871
Organisation or person making representation: [redacted], The Ramblers
Report chapter and route sections: Report LCK 1, Map LCK1a
The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State notes the Ramblers’ concerns regarding route alignment, confusing signage, the condition and safety of infrastructure (including steep steps and fencing) and the lack of a formal alternative when the Ministry of Defence ranges are closed. However, the Secretary of State supports Natural England’s position that the proposed route represents the most appropriate balance between public access, safety, environmental constraints, and private land interests, and that the identified issues can be addressed through signage improvements and targeted maintenance works during the establishment phase.
Representation number: MCA/LCK/R/4/LCK2871
Organisation or person making representation: [redacted], The Ramblers
Report chapter and route sections: Report LCK 1, Map LCK3a
The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State notes the Ramblers’ concerns regarding the need for clear and accessible information about Ministry of Defence firing range closures, including the provision of signage, maps, and QR codes at key locations. However, the Secretary of State supports Natural England’s position that appropriate information is already available via existing South West Coast Path and National Trail resources and that further enhancements, such as QR-coded signage, can be considered and implemented in collaboration with Dorset Council during the establishment phase.
Representation number: MCA/LCK/R/2/LCK1274
Organisation or person making representation: Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Local Access Forum
Report chapter and route sections: Lulworth Cove to Lulworth Range Gates West, LCK 1a
The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State notes the Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Local Access Forum’s concerns regarding the inland route alignment and lack of sea views, the rejection of the former permissive path, confusing signage, the absence of a formal alternative when the Ministry of Defence ranges are closed, the condition and safety of steps and the need for clearer and more accessible information on closures, including signage and QR codes. However, the Secretary of State supports Natural England’s position that the proposed route provides the most appropriate balance between public access and private interests, particularly in light of identified privacy impacts, and that issues relating to signage, infrastructure improvements, and enhanced communication of closures can be addressed during the establishment phase in partnership with Dorset Council.
Representation number: MCK/LCK/R/1/LCK2879
Organisation or person making representation: [redacted]
Report chapter and route sections: LCK 1a
The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State notes the representation’s concerns regarding the absence of the Ministry of Defence ranges on overview mapping, the lack of inclusion of the existing South West Coast Path route through the ranges, inaccuracies in mapped paths affected by coastal erosion, and the need for clearer advance signage and information about range closures at key access points. However, the Secretary of State supports Natural England’s position that the proposed approach appropriately avoids promoting a single alternative route and improvements to signage and the communication of closures can be effectively addressed during the establishment phase in partnership with Dorset Council.