Notice by the Secretary of State under section 52 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949: Silecroft to Silverdale SCS5 and MR1
Updated 22 January 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-silecroft-to-silverdale/notice-by-the-secretary-of-state-under-section-52-of-the-national-parks-and-access-to-the-countryside-act-1949-silecroft-to-silverdale-scs5-and-mr1
Introduction
On 8 January 2020 Natural England submitted a coastal access report relating to the stretch of land between Silecroft and Silverdale 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. Silecroft to Silverdale – Natural England’s coastal access report submitted to the Secretary of State on 8 January 2020
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 March 2020
f. 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) “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; and
(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, the additional conclusions and observations of the Secretary of State in relation to the representations are set out at Annex C to this notice.
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/publications/coastal-access-section-52-notice-for-silecroft-to-silverdale:
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 March 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 on in March 2020;
Natural England has also made available here:
f. Silecroft to Silverdale: the coastal access report.
Annex A: Objections which did not fail to strike a “fair balance”
Objection Reference: MCA/Silecroft to Silverdale 5/01
The land in the report to which the objection relates includes route sections SCS-5-S023 to SCS-5-S025, SCS-5-S025 to SCS-5-S027, and SCS-5-OA006 to SCS-5-OA010.
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 land management, agricultural operations, wildlife and habitat disturbance, public safety, and the privacy and amenity of existing land users.
To address these concerns, the Secretary of State supports the minor route modifications, the removal of the optional alternative route, and the targeted management measures, including any access restrictions and other measures suggested by Natural England.
Consequently, the Secretary of State approves the proposals in relation to this route section with these modifications in place.
Objection Reference: MCA/Silecroft to Silverdale 5/02
The land in the Report to which the objection relates includes route sections SCS-5-S023 to SCS-5-S025, SCS-5-S025 to SCS-5-S027, and SCS-5-OA006 to SCS-5-OA010.
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 land management, agricultural operations, wildlife and habitat disturbance, and public safety.
To address these concerns, the Secretary of State supports the minor route modifications, the removal of the optional alternative route, and the targeted management measures, including any access restrictions and other measures suggested by Natural England.
Consequently, the Secretary of State approves the proposals in relation to this route section with these modifications in place.
Objection Reference: MCA/Silecroft to Silverdale 5/03
The land in the Report to which the objection relates are route sections SCS-5-S059 to SCS-5-S068.
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 safety of the embankment, potential impacts on the privacy and amenity of holiday park guests, and liability concerns associated with public access onto the park.
To address these concerns, the Secretary of State supports the mitigation measures, including clear way-marking, signage, and notices to manage visitor movements and protect privacy, as proposed by Natural England.
Consequently, the Secretary of State approves the proposals in relation to this route section.
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/SCS5/R/3/3332
Organisation or person making representation: Historic England – [redacted]
Route section(s) specific to this representation: SCS-5-S057 to S062
Other reports within stretch to which this representation also relates: N/A
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State acknowledges Historic England’s endorsement of the proposed route and thanks them for their positive feedback.
Representation number: MCA/SCS5/R/4/3229
Organisation or person making representation: Ramblers – [redacted]
Route section(s) specific to this representation: full report
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’ concerns regarding the safety, accessibility, and environmental impacts of several sections of the proposed route, particularly around tidally affected areas, saltmarshes, and narrow roads, as well as their preference for alternative alignments in certain locations. However, the Secretary of State supports Natural England’s position that the chosen route provides the most appropriate balance between public access, land management needs, habitat protection, and long-term sustainability, in accordance with the Habitats Regulations Assessment and the criteria set out in the Coastal Access Scheme.
Representation number: MCA/SCS5/R/5/0016
Organisation or person making representation: The Open Spaces Society – [redacted]
Route section(s) specific to this representation: full report
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 Open Spaces Society’s concerns regarding the safety, accessibility, and environmental impacts of several sections of the proposed route, particularly in tidally affected areas, saltmarshes, narrow roads, and areas near grazing or sensitive habitats, as well as their preference for alternative alignments in some locations. However, the Secretary of State supports Natural England’s position that the chosen route provides the most appropriate balance between public access, land management, habitat protection, and long-term sustainability, in accordance with the Habitats Regulations Assessment and the criteria set out in the Coastal Access Scheme.
Representation number: MCA/SCS5/R/1/3247
Organisation or person making representation: Lower Holker Parish Council – [redacted]
Name of site: Lower Holker Parish, including the villages of Cark, Flookburgh, Holker & Ravenstown and surrounding farmland
Route section(s) specific to this representation: Map SCS 5f (Holker Quarry) to 5n (Holly Well Lane via Willow Lane)
Other reports within stretch to which this representation also relates: SCS-5-S036 to S066
Other reports within stretch to which this representation also relates: N/A
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State notes Lower Holker Parish Council’s concerns regarding the safety of walkers on sections of the route along the shoreline and the potential risks from tidal inundation or occasional flooding. However, the Secretary of State supports Natural England’s position that the proposed route will be supplemented by optional alternative paths. Also, signage will be installed to provide information on tides and alternative routes where appropriate. These measures will help mitigate risks and ensure safe and continuous access for walkers in all reasonably foreseeable situations.
Representation number: MCA/SCS5/R/2/3364
Organisation or person making representation: United Utilities – [redacted]
Name of site: not specified
Report map reference: not specified
Route sections on or adjacent to the land: SCS-5-S080 to S083
Other reports within stretch to which this representation also relates: N/A
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State notes United Utilities’ concerns regarding the proximity of the proposed route to their compound and the potential risk to their assets. However, the Secretary of State supports Natural England’s position that the route lies outside the compound perimeter and will pose no significant risk to United Utilities’ operations.
Annex C: Conclusions and observations on modifications
Representation number: MCA/SCS-MR1/R/1/3229
Organisation or person making representation: [redacted] (Ramblers/Open Spaces Society)
Route section(s) specific to this representation: not specified
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 exclusion of the Limestone Pavement Order area from the landward margin of the route and the omission of parts of Morecambe Bay under s25A. However, the Secretary of State supports Natural England’s position that the proposed route satisfies the criteria set out in the Coastal Access Scheme. In relation to the Limestone Pavement Order area, this matter can be addressed during the forthcoming review of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 section 4 maps.
Representation number: MCA/SCS-MR1/R/3/3332
Organisation or person making representation: [redacted] (Historic England)
Route section(s) specific to this representation: not specified
Other reports within stretch to which this representation also relates: N/A
Secretary of State’s conclusion and observation:
The Secretary of State acknowledges Historic England’s endorsement of the proposed route and thanks them for their positive feedback.
Representation number: MCA/SCS-MR1/R/2/3447
Organisation or person making representation: [redacted] (Disabled Ramblers)
Name of site: Abbot Hall and vicinity
Report map reference: SCS-MR1a
Route sections on or adjacent to the land: SCS-MR1-S001 to S005
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 Disabled Ramblers’ suggestion regarding the installation of a ramp instead of steps and the design of gaps and gates to improve accessibility. The Secretary of State supports Natural England’s position that these matters will be addressed in consultation with the relevant local authority, which is bound by the Equality Act 2010 and associated public sector duty to provide the most accessible route possible.