Key locations
Beaches throughout Berwickshire and Northumberland
Frequency of Activity
Continuous but with particular during summer months
Organisations with management powers which may be relevant for this activity
| Organisation | Description of powers or responsibilities |
| Local Authorities |
|
| Marine Scotland |
|
| Marine Management Organisation |
|
| Natural England |
|
| NatureScot |
|
| Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) |
|
Relevant Legislation (England)
A number of legal powers, duties or regulatory tools exist which are relevant to this activity and its management. These are summarised in the table below. Further information about how these powers or duties are relevant to the activity are contained in the ‘Details of Current Management’ section of this page.
| Legislation | Relevant Legal Power or Responsibility | Lead Organisation |
| The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Section 89) | Statutory duty on Local Authorities to keep land clear of litter and refuge | Northumberland County Council
North Tyneside Council |
| Marine & Coastal Access Act 2009 (Section 65) | Requirement for a Marine Licence for removal of materials from the intertidal zone
|
Marine Management Organisation |
| Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) (Section 28) | Requirement for Consent, Assent or Advice from Nature England before certain activities take place on SSSIs
|
Natural England |
| The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (Regulation 63)
As modified by the Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 |
Requirement for Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) to assess likely impacts of plans or projects on European sites
|
DEFRA
|
Relevant Guidance, Plans or Codes (England)
The following guidance, codes, plans or strategies are also relevant to the management of this activity:
| Name | Description | Responsible Organisation | Statutory or Non-Statutory? |
| The Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse 2006 (COPLAR) | The Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse (COPLAR) provides practical guidance on the discharge of duties imposed by The Environmental Protection Act 1990 to keep land, including beaches, clear of litter and refuse. | Defra | Non-Statutory |
Relevant Legislation (Scotland)
A number of legal powers, duties or regulatory tools exist which are relevant to this activity and its management. These are summarised in the table below. Further information about how these powers or duties are relevant to the activity are contained in the ‘Details of Current Management’ section of this page.
| Legislation | Relevant Legal Power or Responsibility | Lead Organisation |
| The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Section 89) | Statutory duty on Local Authorities to keep land clear of litter and refuge | Scottish Border Council |
| Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (Sections 13-17) | Requirement for consent from NatureScot before certain activities take place on SSSIs | NatureScot |
| The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (Regulation 48)
As amended by the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 |
Requirement for Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) to assess possible impacts of plans or projects on European sites
|
Scottish Government
|
| Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (Section 20)
|
Requirement for a Marine Licence for removal of materials from the intertidal zone
|
Marine Scotland
|
Relevant Guidance, Plans or Codes (Scotland)
The following guidance, codes, plans or strategies are also relevant to the management of this activity:
| Name | Description | Responsible Organisation | Statutory or Non-Statutory? |
| The Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse (Scotland) 2018 (COPLAR) | The Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse (COPLAR) provides practical guidance on the discharge of duties imposed by The Environmental Protection Act 1990 to keep land, including beaches, clear of litter and refuse | Scottish Government | Non-Statutory |
Details of Current Management (England)
(NB: Please see separate entries for litter, harbour waste management, and discharges at sea)
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 puts a duty on Local Authorities to keep land (including beaches) clear of litter and refuse on land in their ownership or under their direct control or management.
The majority of the Northumberland coastline is designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and beach cleaning operations require the consent of Natural England. These consents usually come with conditions attached limiting the timing and frequency of operations in order to protect wintering birds.
Hand cleaning is carried out on all beaches within the Northumberland section of the Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast SAC. Occasional mechanical cleaning occurs at Spittal to remove large debris that has travelled down the River Tweed, plus occasional machine movement of sand where it prevents safe beach access.
Mechanical cleaning of amenity beaches in South East Northumberland/North Tyneside is undertaken during the summer period.
Beach clean events and litter picks are increasingly being undertaken by organisations, local communities and individuals (see beach litter activity for further details)
A Marine Licence from the Marine Management Organisation may be necessary to remove litter or debris from the intertidal zone. The MMO may be required to carry out a Habitats Regulations Assessment before any licence is granted. There is a Marine Licence exemption for the use of a vehicle by or on behalf of a local authority to remove litter or seaweed from a beach; however, this exemption only applies where the activity is not likely to have a significant effect on a European site, Ramsar site or Marine Conservation Zone. Where the qualifying criteria for this exemption is not met removal activities may be suitable for self-service marine licensing. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/self-service-marine-licensing/self-service-marine-licensing
The Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse (COPLAR) provides practical guidance on the discharge of duties imposed by The Environmental Protection Act 1990 to keep land, including beaches, clear of litter and refuse.
Details of Current Management (Scotland)
(NB: Please see separate entries for litter, harbour waste management, and discharges at sea)
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 puts a duty on Local Authorities to keep land (including beaches) clear of litter and refuse on land in their ownership or under their direct control or management.
Hand cleaning is carried out on all beaches within the Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast SAC with the exception of Coldingham Bay.
Beach clean events and litter picks are increasingly being undertaken by organisations, local communities and individuals (see beach litter sub-activity for further details)
A Marine Licence from Marine Scotland may be necessary to remove litter or debris from the intertidal zone. Marine Scotland may be required to carry out a Habitats Regulations Assessment before any licence is granted. There is an marine licence exemption for the use of a vehicle by or on behalf of a local authority to remove litter or seaweed from a beach; however, this exemption only applies where the activity is not likely to have a significant effect on a European site.
The Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse (COPLAR) provides practical guidance on the discharge of duties imposed by The Environmental Protection Act 1990 to keep land, including beaches, clear of litter and refuse. The Scottish COPLAR was updated in 2018.