Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he expects to respond to the Natural England's report on the Weybourne to Hunstanton proposals for the England Coast Path submitted to his department on 21 Mach 2018; and when he expects to receive proposals from Natural England for the Hunstanton to Sutton Bridge section.

A decision regarding the Coastal Access Report on Weybourne to Hunstanton has been delayed due to the European Court ruling known as People Over Wind. Natural England is reviewing the relevant Habitats Regulations Assessment in compliance with this ruling. In addition, a number of objections were received following the publication of Natural England’s initial report. Defra has appointed an independent planning inspector to examine these objections.

This evidence will need to be considered as part of the Secretary of State’s decision on the proposals.

Natural England is still finalising its reports for the stretch between Hunstanton and Sutton Bridge. Work on the reports has been delayed by Covid-19, and Natural England now expects to submit its proposals in the autumn.