Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL]

My Lords, I thank my noble friend Lady Hooper for tabling the amendment. We had a good debate on this in Committee, where noble Lords widely accepted the concept of special areas of coast that are of exceptional beauty. We know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My favourite maritime view, of the Wash from Shep Whites, may be too strong on the horizontal to suit all tastes. However, my noble friend has drawn our attention to an important aspect of our coastal heritage. There are two ways of looking at seascapes. Is it the prospect of the sea from the land, or of the shore from the sea? Perhaps both are equally important. What can be accepted without argument is the need to ensure that, on land or at sea, there is a requirement to observe the context and to seek to maintain the natural beauty of place. We cannot doubt that this area will develop and become more, rather than less, important. I expect that the Minister will assure us that the planning system and the Bill seek to ensure that this will happen. I hope that he can make that clear in his reply to this important amendment.