Taking Pebbles From A Beach

[horseshoes]

I know there are a few legal folk on here, so I'm hoping they can answer my query which is "Is it illegal to take pebbles from a beach". I know that you can't take things from a site of special scientific interest, but I'm talking about just the local sea shore.

Thank you.

[horseshoes]

I wonder where B&Q get their sacks of nice smooth pebbles from? Quarry?

[Mamyalynne]

Ian McEwan found out the rules on Chesil Beach - almost got a hefty fine.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/6527511.stm

[Old_Geezer]

They weren't pleased with this guy https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/976x549_b/p00z3y3s.jpg

[Davemano]

In 2010 MP Caroline Lucas wanted to swear herself in holding a stone from Brighton beach. After having being told she had committed an offence by taking the stone she returned it.

[EDDIE51]

Taking any material from a beach or seashore is illegal , it comes under The Coastal Protection Ordinance of 1949
https://gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=2781&p=0
This does not include things like drift wood .

[wolf63]

Last time that I watched a Vet programme there was a dog with a sore tummy. They found pebbles, pebbles and more pebbles when the opened it up. Wonder if they returned the pebbles to the beach.

[zebo]

If what Islay says about Norfolk is true they're going to need a very large prison for all the children.

[Mamyalynne]

That link refers to Guernsey Eddie, does the same apply in the UK?

[EDDIE51]

^ Children under 10 are below the age of criminal responsibility so they can not be accused of theft, or any other crime.

[EDDIE51]

I am sure there is a similar law for the rest of the UK.

[Mamyalynne]

Guernsey isn't part of the UK but we shan't split hairs - I'm sure we have laws on it too.

[zebo]

Eddie51, hope my granddaughter never hears that, the threat of jail is often used!

[horseshoes]

After a lot of "googling" I've found this from the Coast Protection Legislation of 1949.....

18 Prohibition of excavation etc., of materials on or under the seashore.

(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, and notwithstanding anything contained in any other enactment, it shall be unlawful to excavate or remove any materials (other than minerals more than fifty feet below the surface) on, under or forming part of any portion of the seashore to which the provisions of this section are applied.

(2)The provisions of the last foregoing subsection shall not affect the excavation or removal of any materials by the [F44Secretary of State] in the exercise of the powers conferred upon him by Part II of this Act, or the excavation or removal thereof by any other person in compliance with a notice served by that [F44Secretary of State] under the said Part II.

(3)A coast protection authority may make an order applying the provisions of this section to any such portion of the seashore within their area or [F45of the sea–shore lying to seaward of their area but within three nautical miles of the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea adjacent to Great Britain is measured,] as may be described in the order:

Provided that the order may, as respects the whole of that portion of the seashore or any such part thereof as may be specified in the order, except from the provisions of subsection (1) of this section the carrying out of operations of any such class as may be so specified, and any such exception may be either unconditional or subject to such conditions as may be specified in the order.

[EDDIE51]

It is illegal throughout the UK
http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/cops-warning-over-taking-sand-from-beach-1-205625
The part of the beach or seashore between the high and low water marks ( the foreshore?) is technically part of The Crown Estate and so belongs to The Queen . The beach or seashore above the high water mark belongs to the local council.
You can apply for a licence to remove beach material , stones, sand etc as long as the beach is not in a protected location, but you need to pay for the licence. I assume this is how commercially sold pebbles are obtained.

[horseshoes]

So all the people who sell painted pebbles in the craft fairs, and all the teachers who paint pebbles with their pupils and everyone else,including myself and my granddaughter are criminals. Well, good luck with finding room for us all in prison!

[horseshoes]

Sorry Eddie I posted before your last reply.

[EDDIE51]

^ In General no one is going to worry about taking a few pebbles as a souvenir , but people were taking car and van loads to use for gardens or building walls etc.
That was causing problems with erosion of the beaches and had to be stopped.
In a protected area like Chisel Bank even taking one or two stones can be a fineable offence.

[horseshoes]

I love in an area of North Wales where there is a lot (and that's an understatement) of slate. We have mostly very very old fences along the lanes made with long slabs of standing slate which are then bound with thick wire. People have begun stealing these large slabs of slate. I'm sure this is why every day there's wandering sheep on the roads!

[horseshoes]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-41426452

Perhaps it would be OK to take them from here! It might reduce the potential bill;-)

[jackthehat]

oop here, there has been at least one prosecution for returning wind-blown sand back to the beach!