Common sense prevails: Another voice of reason joins CLA call for a right of appeal

The Select Committee on the Constitution has published a report into the Marine and Coastal Access Bill echoing concerns made by the CLA over the lack of right of appeal for landowners.

The Committee examines all Public Bills for constitutional implications and investigates broad constitutional issues.

CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: "This is great news and a leap forward for natural justice. The CLA has consistently argued for the obvious need for an independent right of appeal for rural businesses and land managers whose land will be affected by the proposed continuous coastal path.

"It will be very difficult for the Government to ignore the Committee on this especially as it joins both Joint and Efra Committees in calling it a ’fundamental weakness’. We hope, on behalf of land managers, that an independent right of appeal is implemented."

The Constitution Committee report says: "In a number of different contexts, we have, therefore, argued that, as a matter of constitutional principle, rights of appeal should be created" as well as: " …we find it surprising that a decision-making process that does not permit appeals by individuals can be thought to be a fair bargain between the citizen and State".