Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Customers and Community, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Customers and Community presenting recommendations to be incorporated into a formal letter of response to Natural England regarding the creation of the first of three sections of the England Coastal Path through the Maldon District.

Councillor Savage advised that his previously declared non-pecuniary interest in this Agenda item was valid as he lived on part of the proposed route.

The Countryside and Coast Manager advised Members that the maps shown at the meeting were in draft form and were not in the public domain and not finalised.

In response to a question, the Countryside and Coast Manager advised Members that Natural England were using a phased approach to the Coastal Path and that was the reason why Officers were dealing with it in sections.  Further information would be circulated to Members of the Planning and Licensing Committee as and when received by the Countryside and Coast Manager.

Concerns were raised about the on-going maintenance of the Coastal Path and the Countryside and Coast Manager advised Members that he was of the understanding that there would be an impetus on users to be responsible.

It was suggested by Members that recommendation (v) be amended to say Burnham-on-Crouch to South Woodham Ferrers, rather than Burnham-on-Crouch to Wallasea, as this was considered to be potentially confusing.

Councillor E L Bamford proposed deferral of this item so that concerns could be discussed between the Chairman of the Planning and Licensing Committee and Officers.  However, the deadline for this part of the proposal was before the next meeting of the Planning and Licensing Committee and a decision needed to me made.  This proposal was not seconded.

The Chief Executive requested that the recommendations be delegated to the Interim Head of Planning Services in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Planning and Licensing Committee, together with the Ward Members and the Chief Executive.  Councillor R G Boyce MBE, CC made a formal proposal in this regard which was duly seconded.

The Countryside and Coast Manager reiterated to Members that the maps were not currently in the public domain.

RESOLVED:

(i)        that the guiding principles set out in section 3.3 of this report be agreed and, where necessary, incorporated into a response to Natural England consultation on the proposed route (Maldon to Salcott) of the English Coastal Path (ECP);

(ii)       that for land owned by Maldon District Council (MDC), the route of the ECP follows the proposed / mapped Natural England route, with boundary restrictions and exclusions as specified in the body of this report;

(iii)      that a voluntary dedication agreement of ECP route through land ‘excluded’ from the Marine & Coastal Access Act 2009; specifically the proposed short section connecting Promenade Park to Hythe Quay on riverward side of Cooks Boatyard and a second section through the Downs, Downs Road, be agreed;

(iv)      that for land not owned by MDC but falling within the District Area, the proposed / mapped route be considered to be favourable;

(v)       that subject to (i) to (iv) above and in consultation with the Chairman of the Planning and Licensing Committee, the Director of Customers and Community be authorised to respond to Natural England’s consultation on the ECP Maldon to Salcott proposed route and the subsequent two further sections of the ECP within the Maldon District (Maldon to Burnham-on-Crouch and Burnham-on-Crouch to South Woodham Ferrers), subject to the detail of the route proposals and in good time for the submission of their reports to the Secretary of State.