The historic Birnbeck Coastal Pathway runs from Birkett Road toward the entrance to the Toll Road, itself running from Weston to Kewstoke village along the coastal edge of Weston Woods.

The route of the Birnbeck coastal footpath is indicted by the orange line.

The coastal pathway was cleared of its previous overgrowth by volunteers from the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust and the Friends of the Old Pier Society in October 2015. Additional manpower and mechanical assistance (namely a mini-digger and a tracked dump truck) were provided free-of-charge by Lynch Plant Hire of Bridgewater. New fencing was fitted along the seaward side of the footpath following a successful application to the Tesco ‘Bags of Help’ community assistance scheme.

The Birnbeck Coastal Pathway was thereafter formally opened by the Mayor of Weston on 17 November 2018 during a ceremony to mark the occasion.

Ownership of the Coastal Pathway

North Somerset Council documents clearly indicate that the land on which most of the coastal pathway itself stands privately belongs to CNM Estates, as does part of the foreshore below it. However, the vegetated grass verge alongside the pathway and below the seawall does belong to NSC, as does a short section of the pathway at the furthest end nearest to the Toll Road.

An earlier 19th century deed map of this package of land confirms the same ownership information.

Originally belonging to the Smyth-Pigott estate, the land indicated in pink was later transferred to the ownership of NSC. The privately-owned section of the footpath exists directly to the right of the indicated boundary, running next to and alongside part of the top of the Spring Cove Cliffs edge.

CNM’s Birnbeck Headland Proposals

Other documents seen by NSC and ourselves show that CNM Estates have previously considered developing this particular section of the North Somerset coastline by adding new apartment blocks here, further to their continuing Royal Pier Hotel proposals. Although no planning application has ever been made for these, it is understood that their architects have been considered the outline planning stage of their construction since at least October 2012.

BCG’s reaction to these proposals

Birnbeck Conservation Group stands firmly against excessive development in this area of outstanding natural beauty. Such proposals would lead to a huge rise in vehicular traffic due to the increased local population, and many would use the Toll Road and the narrow lanes through Kewstoke village as a ‘rat run’ to get to and from the local section of the M5 motorway and beyond.

It is not immediately apparent to us whether CNM Estates believe that they own all the land back to the seawall here at the top of Birkett Road. In any case, we would urge NSC to never sell their holdings of land in this area. CNM only own a very narrow strip of flat land that the actual path sits on, this is only about six feet (2 metres) wide for the majority of its length. Any large scale development would require the cliff edge to be extended outward into the bay with a promontory height of at least thirty six feet (12 metres). This would entail a huge, if not practically impossible, engineering feat.

Meanwhile, if you’re concerned about potential loss to Weston’s character and traditional appearance, as well as the significant contribution that excessive development makes to climate change, please contact us directly:

Please use our contact page here: (Link)

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