Delays opening New Forest section of England Coast Path down to 'objections'

OBJECTIONS by local landowners have been blamed for causing the New Forest section of a major national walking route to be among the last to be signed off.

While most of the 2,800-mile England Coast Path is now being prepared or already open to hikers, parts of the 35-mile stage between Highcliffe and Calshot are still being haggled over, with privacy concerns among the sticking points.

New Forest Ramblers chair Frank Weller said coastal access was a “major issue”, claiming private landowners have contributed to the delay.

Estates at Beaulieu, Cadland, Exbury and Pylewell have denied this, however, and said discussions are ongoing.

Mr Weller told the A&T: “Provision for [the coastal path] is basically stalled in the Forest totally until a government review is finished.

“In the past various estates have said they don’t want the coast paths suggested and have objected to them.

“We’re not expecting to go through people’s gardens and we don’t want the wildlife disturbed – but we want a path open as close to the coast as possible.

“The coastline from Highcliffe to Calshot is one of the only coastal path routes in the country that’s not officially open to the public – that’s very embarrassing for the national park.”

Spokespersons for the Beaulieu, Cadland, Exbury and Pylewell estates all confirmed to the A&T they are continuing to work with Natural England to allow formal access to walkers.

A spokesperson for Exbury House said an estate team recently met Natural England to agree where the path should cross the Beaulieu River, adding it was “important the best route is selected”.

Cadland Estate owner Aldred Drummond said: “We have a coastal path route that has been agreed for quite some time. The proposed path has the potential for a heavy impact on the land – I wouldn’t say I’m happy about the coastal path, but there is an agreed route.”

A spokesperson for Pylewell Park said “various permissive paths already in place” had been there since 2011, adding: “The estate has always and will continue to welcome responsible users of our footpaths.”

A Beaulieu Estate spokesperson said the coast path proposal is currently undergoing Natural England’s “standard cause of feasibility assessment”.

Once agreed, it will be down to the national park authority to create the pathway.

Adam Vasey, NPA access and volunteering officer, said landowners had been among 70 objections to the route, which will be considered by the Planning Inspectorate before a final decision is made.

He said: “Other sections of the path in England have received far fewer objections and those sections have been prioritised.

Mr Vasey went on: “The impact of the England Coast Path on the New Forest’s fragile ecosystems has caused much debate.

“This, combined with large privately-owned coastal estates having privacy concerns, has led to the high number of objections and thus the delay in determining a route.

“We work closely with Natural England who are responsible for this process.”

He added: “We look forward to working with local landowners to create a new part of a national trail that gives sustainable, managed access alongside fantastic habitats and inspires people to care more about their local environment and enjoy being out in nature.”