Explanatory note

These Regulations contain procedural provisions in connection with certain reports submitted by Natural England to the Secretary of State under section 51 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (c. 97). The reports in question are those submitted pursuant to the duty under section 296 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), which relates to the provision of a long-distance route around the English coast and an associated margin of land which is accessible to the public.

Part 2 of the Regulations contains provision regarding the advertisement of such reports by Natural England, the giving of notices about such reports, and the making of objections or representations about such reports.

Part 3 contains provision regarding certain functions of the appointed person (a person appointed under Schedule 1A^f1 to the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 in connection with determining an objection about a report). In particular regulation 5 relates to a notice published by the appointed person about an objection, and regulation 6 relates to representations made in response to such a notice.

Part 4 contains provision about the procedure to be followed in a case where the Secretary of State wishes to explore or propose modifications of the proposals in a report.

Part 5 contains procedural provisions in connection with the consideration of an objection by the appointed person by means of a hearing or a local inquiry.

Part 6 includes provisions regarding the giving of notices and electronic communications.

A separate Impact Assessment has not been prepared in respect of these Regulations because the Impact Assessment which was prepared for the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 included assumptions which are reflected in the Regulations. It has been updated and may be found at www.defra.gov.uk.