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Date submitted

29 July 2026

Submitted by

Interested party

I am responding on behalf of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) - Solent to Sussex Trail Partnership, the body that undertakes the management and maintenance of the National Trail in this area. The documents submitted as part of the application reference only consultation with Natural England in regards to the KCIIIECP. Natural England do not manage the trail or deal with ‘on the ground’ matters so consultation should be expanded to include the Solent to Sussex Trail Partnership via Hampshire County Council. In order to legally move the line of the KCIIIECP for the purposes of development of the land a Variation Report will need to be approved by the SoS. Natural England have a duty to process these variations but these will be guided by the advice provided by the Trail Partnership managing the trail. As such, the Solent to Sussex Trail Partnership should be consulted on any proposed changes to the trail locally and will advise Natural England on whether a Variation Report will be required. The development will, as it is currently proposed, affect the linear route of the National Trail and the coastal margin. At this point the KCIIIECP does not follow any public rights of way so its legal status is defined under Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CROW) 2000. The Solent to Sussex Trail Partnership therefore will require that the appropriate legal processes to move the trail are undertaken prior to the ‘old’ route being obstructed or closed. The Trail Manager will need to approve any suggested 'improvements' to the proposed new alignment. This will include approving any fencing, including widths of paths, surfacing, planting and signage etc. This is to ensure that this section of route continues to be suitable for a National Trail and meets the National Trail Quality Standards and the National Planning Policy Framework guidelines paras 105, 185 (d) and 187 (c). The trail continues along the seawall path (south of the development site) and follows Dolphin Way from the coast to Clayhall Road. Access to the development should take into consideration traffic movements along the road and potential conflicts with pedestrians walking the KCIIIECP. This could be via segregated access or speed/size limits of vehicles. At no time should be KCIIIECP be closed or obstructed without express permission of the Trail Manager, If any temporary closures are required these will need to be authorised by the Trail Manager and an alternative, suitable route provided.