England Coast Path - Iwade to Grain

Natural England has begun to investigate how to improve coastal access along a 58 km stretch of the Kent coast between Iwade and Grain. This new access is expected to be ready in 2018.

Officers from Medway Council and Kent County Council are providing Natural England with expert local advice and helping to make sure there is full consultation with local interests during the development of the route.

Natural England is now visiting all the land on this stretch of coast that is likely to be affected by the proposals and discussing the options in detail with:

• people who own or manage the land

• relevant local and national organisations who have an interest in the stretch

After final discussions have been held with those who have a legal interest in the land, Natural England will begin refining and checking their proposals to improve access to this stretch of coast. This may start sooner for some sections of the stretch than others.

The proposals will be finalised and then published in a report to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. This is expected to take place in May 2017. Once published, the report will be available on GOV.UK and advertised in the local press.

Copies of the report will be placed in council offices and other appropriate locations in the local area for people to view.

Natural England will contact affected owners and occupiers and the local and national organisations that must be notified by law, to make sure they’re aware that the report has been published.

Once the report has been published, you’ll have 8 weeks to comment on the proposals.

Anyone who wishes to comment will be able to make a representation on the report and owners or occupiers of affected land will be able to make an objection.

The Secretary of State will consider all representations and objections before making a decision about approval of Natural England’s report.

For advice on making a representation or objection, see the detailed guide at the link below.

You can find out about the progress of improving coastal access - including maps, process and timing in Kent at the link here ☞ http://bit.ly/2AkQGx9

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