Memorandum submitted by South West Tourism
Ltd (DMB 40)
NATURAL ENGLAND'S
OUTLINE SCHEME
South West Tourism the Regional Tourism Board
wish to submit their views on behalf of the tourism industry on
Coastal Access.
The Natural England outline scheme on the whole
is very balanced and seems open to negotiation with individual
business and we welcome many of the objectives of the outline
scheme.
The South West is unique in having the South
West Coast Path and do advocate that the SWCP is used as best
practice.
There are three main areas of concern for the
tourism industry the potential exceptions to, and deviations from
the continuous access (paragraph 1). The right to compensation
(paragraph 2) and additional access for other users (paragraph
3).
It is stressed throughout the document that
negotiation will be critical to a successful outcome and SWT are
pleased to see that it has been a reoccurring theme in the outline
scheme.
1. The case for exceptions to and deviations
from, a route giving continuous access to the coast itself
Some tourism businesses trade on the uniqueness
of having a private beach or access to wildlife which is unattainable
to any other businesses in the area. To have this niche selling
point removed will seriously affect the individual business viability.
Quite often these products are at the top end of the market and
are exemplars to the tourism industry, not only with quality but
with the overall visitor experience. The loss of these products
could also damage the reputation of the brand of the South West
which sells itself on quality and visitor experience.
You will also be detracting from the visitor
experience to the business if access was allowed.
In many cases the route could be deviated around
the property without detracting from the walker's experience.
The walker could be out of site of the sea of only a few minutes
and there could be other heritage, environmental, landscape experiences
which will compensate for the deviation. There could be negotiation
with the landowner to allow the path through adjoining land which
then still allows private access to and privacy on the beach.
In some cases such as on an island it maybe
necessary for an exception, access could be permitted to a large
proportion but an exception in front of the business to allow
for uninterrupted views and privacy.
All deviations should be undertaken in negotiation
with the landowner as set out in the outline scheme
2. Whether the Draft Bill strikes the right
balance between the rights of access and the rights of owners
and occupiers, and whether there should be compensation in any
circumstances for the creation of coastal access rights
There is a good case for compensation to the
business as in some cases it could completely destroy its viability,
others could be still be able to trade but at a much reduced level.
It would be completely unfair to take incomes and asset values
away without compensation.
In some cases years of investment have been
undertaken to reach the quality level of today's product. With
reduced incomes the asset value of theses businesses will also
suffer.
Natural England has not looked at the likely
levels of reduced income to these businesses. It is important
that we understand how these businesses would be affected. South
West Tourism is willing to undertake some research to look at
incomes levels and the effects of Coastal Access. This could also
incorporate the numbers of businesses which will be affected to
evaluate the total compensation cost to the tourism industry in
the South West.
Compensation does not necessarily need to be
monetary, some businesses especially campsites may except planning
gains in compensation ie if a caravan has to removed as it is
to near to the path or to make way for the path it could be compensated
with planning for more caravans in another area of the site.
Work could also be undertaken to show businesses,
how it could add value to the existing business by allowing access
to café/restaurants/shops etc and this might negate the
negative effects of allowing access.
Once again negotiation will be key to a successful
outcome.
3. Whether there should be access rights for
other users such as cyclists or horse riders
There could be access for cyclists and horse
riders where it builds on existing bridleways or cycle routes.
The paths must be in the right location where there is user demand
and where there is room for a wider path to ensure there is no
conflict between the different sectors.
Other factors should be taken into account,
the cost of maintenance of a suitable surface which combats erosion
and it should be on land which has the landowner's complete agreement.
This type of access should not be enforced.
Additional types of access may encourage non
traditional users into the countryside.
South West Tourism Ltd
May 2008
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