By Mal Butler
A planning inspector’s Inquiry could be called to finally decide the proposed King Charles III Coast Path, between East Cowes and Wootton – and it may open up access to private land, whatever it decides.
The dispute which has rumbled on for more than a decade looks set for even further delays, as the Ramblers Association, English Heritage and local farmers square up for another battle.
The King Charles III England Coast Path National Trail will be the longest managed coastal path in the world. It will go all the way around the coast of England and will be around 2,700 miles long when it is complete. The path is being created by Natural England, who must get approval for each section from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The local dispute centres around a stretch of ground around Osborne House. The path is being created to mark the coronation of King Charles III. Ironically, Osborne was given to the nation by Edward VII on his coronation. It is now owned by the Crown Estate, and managed as a tourist attraction by English Heritage.
Osborne House is where the ramblers claim the path could run, but it has been blocked by English Heritage, who say there are security and conservation concerns. Natural England have also been unable to agree coastal access with the owners of Barton Manor, Alex and Dawn Haig-Thomas.
A compromise, unacceptable to the Ramblers, includes a path running inland and alongside the busy A3021 which would mean going through farmers’ land.
One farmer, Mark Orlik, owns New Barton Farm near Whippingham, an arable farm with 20 stables. He said: “The path is being forced away from the coast, so it’s not a coastal path. This has been going on for more than 10 years because Osborne House is not prepared to compromise.
“We don’t want it on our land, and the Ramblers Association doesn’t want to move it this way, either. We have spent thousands of pounds over the years taking advice on this and we will not give up. We will continue to fight it all the way as far as we can.”
However, taking the dispute to a planning inspector could have ‘little understood implications’ for the landowners and unintended consequences for them, according to the Ramblers.
A member said this week: “The landowners feel that having a route along the main road keeps everyone away and gives them privacy. The reality is that it opens up most of their land to public access.”
Ramblers area footpath secretary, Mike Slater, explained: “We have given Natural England three different options, and we would prefer not to be going inland, but an inquiry will get everyone’s input and should recommend a better solution to Natural England’s proposal.
”Any inland diversion would provide a legal right of public access to the land between the official coast path, walking route and the sea. It will allow the public to leave the main trail to explore, rest or picnic.
“Hopefully the new English Heritage management team and local landowners are having constructive discussions with Natural England about potential truly coastal alternatives. Given the level of public concern, a planning inspector’s Inquiry will be needed to resolve this complex situation.”
Maps published by Natural England show extensive areas shaded pink, up to a mile inland. While certain categories such as buildings, Osborne Park’s paid attraction, golf courses, conservation sites, and arable fields are excluded, large areas of woodland, grassland, seashore and access roads would be opened up as ‘spreading room’ for public use.
The Ramblers, with legal advice, have mapped areas around Osborne and Barton Manor where access rights would apply if the inland route is approved. Walkers could gain access to tracks through Norris, Pier and Barton Woods, the foreshore next to Osborne park, and Barton Hard beach.
Mr Slater added: “This is the last section of the King Charles III National Trail awaiting resolution. Can we get it sorted in months, or will delays drag on for years?”
Isle of Wight Observer