Supplementary memorandum submitted by
Natural England (DMB 56a)
PARKS AND
GARDENS ON
THE ENGLISH
COAST—INDICATIVE
DISTRIBUTION
It is important to recognise and, as explained
in our oral evidence, the figures and locations shown on the map
for coastal parks and gardens are purely indicative, based on
"quick and dirty" desk-based research undertaken by
Natural England to provide some basic context for the Committee's
discussions on this point.
The suggested presence of parks and gardens
on this map does not indicate that they currently represent an
obstacle to onward access along the coast. In practice some will,
and some will not.
The figures for small gardens were included
on the map purely for the sake of completeness. As Mr Johnson
made clear when questioned by the Committee, there is no question
of Natural England seeking to align the coastal trail across ordinary
back gardens close to people's homes. Nor is it advocating any
right to roam around parks and gardens of any size.
But the largest of the coastal properties shown
on the map will occupy hundreds or even thousands of acres. If
the current policy of excepting all of these areas remains unchanged,
people will have to divert inland for several miles at some of
those points, on routes not offering any view of the sea or any
sense of following the coastline at all.
Avoiding this outcome would require great care
and consultation, and the conclusion in any particular case might
be that there were sound reasons for the lengthy diversion. Protecting
the private space close to people's houses must remain a fundamental
principle in designing the new walking rights. But Natural England's
argument is that in some cases there may be scope for a new path
along the seaward edge of a very extensive coastal park or garden
that would have no material impact at all on the occupants' use
of the associated house. It is to avoid ruling out such a solution
from the outset that Natural England is raising this issue for
debate as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process.
Natural England
June 2008
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