Decision

Notice by the Secretary of State under section 52 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949: Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle lengths 1 to 4

Published 18 September 2025

Applies to England

Introduction

On 8 July 2015 Natural England submitted a compendium of coastal access reports relating to the stretch of coast between Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle 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 relates to chapters 1 to 4 from Lyme Regis to Hive Beach.

In reaching a determination under section 52 of the 1949 Act the Secretary of State has considered:

(a) Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle LRR1 to LRR4 – part of Natural England’s coastal access report compendium for Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle submitted to the Secretary of State on 8 July 2015

(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 2021

(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 a an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 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 LRR1 to LRR4.

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 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 September 2019

c. Summary of other representations, and Natural England’s comments on those representations, which it sent to the Secretary of State in September 2019

Natural England has also made available here:

d. Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle - 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.

Reference number: MCA\Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle\R\25\LRR1112

Organisation/ person making representation: [redacted], Dorset Local Access Forum

Report chapter and route sections:       Chapter 4 LLR-4-S015 to LRR-4-S031 (map 4b)

The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State notes the suggestion of an alternative signposted route along public footpaths between Burton Cliff (junction of route sections LRR-6-S023 and LRR-6-S024 on map 4b of our report) and the bridge over the River Bride (route section LRR-6-S020) via Southover, for people wishing to take a short cut via the road called “Southover” to the north of Burton Cliff. The Secretary of State acknowledges an agreement with Natural England and Dorset County Council that it would be possible to do this as part of the establishment works for the proposed route. The short cut would not be an official alternative route but would be available to the public by virtue of the public rights of way shown on the map.

Reference number: MCA\Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle\R\28\LRR1112

Organisation/ person making representation: [redacted], Dorset Local Access Forum

Report chapter and route sections: General remarks

The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State thanks [redacted] for their concerns regarding accessibility of the proposed route on behalf of the Dorset Local Access Forum. The Secretary of State commends Natural England for implementing changes and alternative routes to ensure there is legally compliant access along the King Charles III England Coast Path. The Secretary of State notes that Natural England do state that there are parts of the route they are not expected to change due to the criteria described in sections 4.3.8 to 4.3.11 of the Coastal Access Scheme. The Secretary of State notes that Natural England would welcome further dialogue with the Local Access Forum about how best to target resources on this stretch of coast and intend to consult the Forum and the local access authority about the matter.

Reference number:  MCA\Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle\R\29\LRR1112

Organisation/ person making representation: [redacted], Dorset Local Access Forum

Report chapter and route sections: General remarks

The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State notes that Natural England’s estimate of the cost to establish the proposed route was informed by a full audit of all existing signs on the South West Coast Path route. This took account of signs that require replacement because they are damaged or unclear and those which would require replacement to redirect walkers along the new route. It also included provision for signs that would require replacement because they include walking distances and place names which would no longer be applicable. 

Reference number:  MCA\Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle\R\35\LRR0145

Organisation/ person making representation: [redacted], Environment Agency

Report chapter and route sections: Chapter 3 LRR-3-S011 to LRR-3-S027

The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State notes the likely need to divert the public away from parts of the proposed route for short periods. Natural England’s current view is that where necessary such diversions can be implemented informally using signs and barriers, without the need for formal exclusion of coastal access rights along the route choosing the ‘least restrictive option’ access rights described in chapter 6 of the statutory Coastal Access Scheme. The Secretary of State acknowledges that Environment Agency have agreed in principle to operate in this way, keeping in line with current practice. Natural England will continue discussions in more detail with interested parties on future essential flood risk management operations and will contact the Environment Agency to secure necessary consent to establish the route with flood defence for qualifying works. The Secretary of State further recognises that formal direction (including a diversionary route or routes) may be given where necessary at any stage after access arrangements have been approved.

Reference number:  MCA\Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle\R\36\LRR0145

Organisation/ person making representation: [redacted], Environment Agency

Report chapter and route sections:       Chapter 4 LRR-4-S015 to LRR-4-S026

The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
Please refer to the Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation for representation reference MCA\Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle\R\35\LRR0145.

Reference number:  MCA\Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle\R\2\LRR1157

Organisation/ person making representation: [redacted]

Route sections:  LRR-1-S001 to LRR-1-S050

The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State thanks [redacted] for their comments on the proposed route.

Reference number:  MCA\Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle\R\23\LRR1167

Organisation/ person making representation:   [redacted]

Route sections:  LRR-1-S001 to LRR-1-S050

The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State thanks [redacted] for their comments on the proposed route.

Reference number:  MCA\Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle\R\31\LRR1101

Organisation/ person making representation: [redacted] on behalf of West Dorset District Council

Route sections:  LRR-1-S001 to LRR-1-S014

The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State notes the proposed route along the promenade would be subject to coastal access rights and to the lower level of occupiers’ liability that applies to land subject to those rights.  As such, it would not be a public right of way, and the proposals will not alter the status of existing rights of way. The Secretary of State recognises the need to divert the public away from the promenade for short periods, which will be done informally using signs and barriers which will be the ‘least restrictive option’. Natural England will undertake further discussion with West Dorset District Council to confirm that a formal direction (including a diversionary route or routes) may be given where necessary in response to coastal processes or because of a change in shoreline management policy.

Reference number:  MCA\Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle\R\34\LRR0068

Organisation/ person making representation:   [redacted] (Town Clerk) on behalf of Lyme Regis Town Council

Route sections:  LRR-1-S001 and LRR-1-S002, LRR-1-S021 to LRR-1-S030

The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State notes that Cart Road would not become a public right of way as a result of proposals; however it would become subject to coastal access rights. As such, if it became necessary to divert the public from Cart Road temporarily, it would not be subject to the procedures for temporary highway diversions with which the Town Council would be familiar. The Secretary of State recognises that where necessary such diversions can be implemented informally using signs and barriers which will be the ‘least restrictive option’. Natural England will continue to undertake discussions with the Town Council and other interested parties to confirm that a formal direction (including a diversionary route or routes) may be given where necessary at any stage after access arrangements have been approved by the Secretary of State. In relation to the proposed route at Lyme Regis Golf Club, the Secretary of State acknowledges that the proposed route strikes a fair balance between the principles of public and private interest.

Reference number:   MCA\Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle\R\2\LRR1157

Organisation/ person making representation:   [redacted]

Route sections:  LRR-2-S001 to LRR-2-S039

The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State notes that [redacted] has professional experience of trying to establish walking routes on eroding coasts and thanks them for their comments on the proposed route.

Reference number:  MCA\Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle\R\23\LRR1167

Organisation/ person making representation: [redacted]

Route sections:  LRR-2-S001 to LRR-2-S039

The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State thanks [redacted] for their comments on the proposed route.

Reference number:  MCA\Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle\R\22\LRR1165

Organisation/ person making representation: [redacted]

Route sections:  LRR-3-S031 to LRR-3-S032

The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State acknowledges that following receipt of this representation, Natural England re-visited the site on 15/09/2015 and confirmed that there is a fence landward of route section LRR-3-S032 which would be a suitable physical boundary to the extent of the coastal margin. The Secretary of State notes the following addition to the formal proposals for the landward boundary of the coastal margin in chapter 3 of the report:

“Adjacent to route section LRR-3-S032, the landward boundary of the coastal margin is to coincide with the fence which is landward of the existing walked route.”

Reference number:  MCA\Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle\R\32\LRR1101

Organisation/ person making representation:   [redacted] on behalf of  West Dorset District Council

Route sections:  LRR-3-S021 and LRR-3-S022, LRR-3-S026 and LRR-3-S027, LRR-3-S029 to LRR-3-S034

The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State notes the proposed route along the harbour would be subject to coastal access rights and to the lower level of occupiers’ liability that applies to land subject to those rights.  As such, it would not be a public right of way, and the proposals will not alter the status of existing rights of way. The Secretary of State recognises the need to divert the public away from the harbour for short periods, which will be done informally using signs and barriers which will be the ‘least restrictive option’. Natural England will undertake further discussion with West Dorset District Council to confirm that a formal direction (including a diversionary route or routes) may be given where necessary in response to coastal processes or because of a change in shoreline management policy.

The Secretary of State also acknowledges that that route sections LRR-3-S021 and LRR-3-S022 run through fields that are leased for grazing, and that the Council would need to check whether this contravenes the existing grazing arrangement. As this route is already used by the public, the Secretary of State’s view is that there would be no need to alter existing land management because of our proposal. The cost of installing steps marked at route section LRR-3-S022 would be met by Natural England through grant aid to the local authority (Dorset County Council) as part of the establishment works. 

Reference number:  MCA\Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle\R\5\LRR0098

Organisation/ person making representation:   Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club

Route sections:  LRR-4-S003  to LRR-4-S009

The Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State thanks Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club for their representation which relates to roll-back along the proposed route if the initial proposed route is subject to erosion. If roll-back is required Natural England would consider both the interests of the club and the public and work together to minimise any impact and costs required.  The Secretary of State notes a consultation with the golf club would be necessary if it were necessary to adjust the route along the course boundary using the roll-back provisions.