No Thank You Natural England - Not the way to Go...

Below are the Lindsey District Council guidance notes for horse riders wishing to ride on beaches around Skegness and Mablethorpe on the east coast of Lincolnshire. I appreciate that these are popular tourist areas with blue flag status to keep up and it is possible they have experienced particular problems with horse riders in the past but this approach is hostile, officious and unwelcoming.

I am not comfortable with the suggestion that ‘droppings must picked up immediately’. I don’t see how that is practical or agree with the implication that horse droppings are harmful. In addition, the quieter areas adjacent to Skegness and Mablethorpe are classed as SSSIs, a Nature Conservation site and a Coastal Conservation Area. So horse riding is not permitted as it may disturb wildlife. Perhaps even more disturbing to horse riders is the fact that Natural England is directly responsible for limiting the numbers of horses on these beaches by administering a permit system so you have to book in advance.

It doesn’t look too good for the future - No riding on busy beaches especially in summer – no riding on quiet beaches because of a perceived threat to wildlife
- hefty fines for ‘wrong doers’ imposed under Marine Bill.

No thank you Natural England this is not the way to go.
http://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/leisure/tourism/beach-safety/index.cfm

Horse riding on beaches + guidance notes
• Between 1st April and 30th September horses are NOT ALLOWED on the Beach between the hours of 9.00am and 6.00pm
• Any ride must at all times be conducted in an orderly and responsible manner and all droppings from the horse(s) must be removed from the foreshore area and beach IMMEDIATELY
• The ride must not interfere with or cause nuisance or danger to any other persons using the beach
• Vehicles are not allowed to go on to the beach or promenades
• Riders must indemnify the Council against all claims, actions, damages or proceedings of whatever nature arising directly out of the granting of this permission
• Permission is only granted in respect of the exercising of horses or ponies and does not allow the hire of animals on the beach for gain or any other commercial purpose of whatever nature
• The area south of Skegness central beach is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). As a nature conservation site, horse riding is NOT permitted here due to ground nesting birds and other animals that may be endangered
• The land and beach area north of Mablethorpe central beach is designated as a Coastal Conservation Area (CCA1) and horse riding is by permit only and restricted to the southern end of the beach and off of all vegetated areas. Permits can be obtained from the Site Manager, Natural England Eastern Area Team (Email: enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk or telephone/fax: 01205 723614) with details of applicant (name and address) dates (although an annual permit can be given to local users) and the number of horses.
The Council will take appropriate action if these rules are not followed.