Section 297: General provision about the coastal access duty
740.This section sets out the requirements imposed on Natural England and the Secretary of State as regards considerations that they have to take into account in discharging the coastal access duty. Subsections (2) and (3) set out these considerations.
741.Subsection (2) provides that they must have regard to:
the safety and convenience of those using the English coastal route;
the desirability of that route adhering to the periphery of the coast and providing views of the sea; and
the desirability of ensuring that so far as reasonably practicable interruptions to that route are kept to a minimum.
742.Subsection (3) provides that they must aim to strike a fair balance between the interests of the public in having rights of access over land and the interests of any person with a relevant interest in the land.
743.Subsection (4) sets out which people are treated as having a “relevant interest in land” for the purposes of subsection (3) (with the intention of striking a fair balance between the interests of the public and those with a relevant interest in land). It says that a person has a relevant interest in land if the person-
holds an holds an estate in fee simple absolute;
holds a term of years absolute in the land; or
is in lawful occupation of the land.