We are seeking an experienced consultant with expertise in inclusive design, disability access, and community facilitation. The ideal person(s) will combine a strong technical understanding of physical accessibility audits with the an ability to successfully engage with local community groups, public stakeholders, and navigate coastal strategic policy.

Closing date for quotes is 9am Friday 3rd July 2026.

Project Overview

We want to understand how accessible beaches are within the East Devon National Landscape for people living with long-term health conditions and disabilities, and to identify practical opportunities to improve this access.

When we refer to “beach access,” we mean the end-to-end journey: the ability to travel to the coast, transition smoothly from arrival onto the beach, safely reach the water’s edge and enter the water, whether independently or with support.

Why are we doing this?

Around 16.1 million people in the UK live with a disability—approximately one in four. Furthermore, 50% of the population live with long-term health conditions that can restrict their physical activity. While the East Devon National Landscape attracts millions of visitors to its stunning coast each year, 20% of our resident population also lives with a disability that limits their day-to-day activities.

Findings from the national A Coast for All report (2026) revealed a clear, consistent gap between the desire to access the coast and the practical ability to do so. Notably, 98% of respondents living with disabilities stated they would like to visit beaches more often, and 85% expressed a desire to reach the water.

The data demonstrates that providing equitable beach access delivers immense societal value through significant mental and physical health benefits. Furthermore, when people can experience and enjoy the coast firsthand, they are far more likely to value and protect the natural environment.

Objectives

What are we hoping to achieve?

The East Devon National Landscape has a dedicated annual capital budget available over the next three years to improve access to and within the landscape. We intend to utilise some of this funding to improve beach access. In the past, we have worked alongside East Devon District Council to install beach matting and now we want to identify where else we can make a meaningful impact along our coast using these funds.

While we have dedicated funding through the Access for All Fund, resources are finite and intended to support targeted, high-impact interventions rather than large-scale infrastructure. Projects typically cost between £5K to £20K. We are therefore seeking practical, smaller-scale improvements or collaborative partnership projects that can realistically be delivered within a one- to three-year timeframe. Any recommendations must align with these funding limitations and be achievable within our current operational capacity.

Because East Devon National Landscape does not own any land, bringing partners together and consulting the public is vital. We are entirely open to innovative ideas centered on stakeholder collaboration. For instance, we would like to explore whether we could establish a dedicated forum—perhaps guided by an experienced specialist—to understand how best to build long-term momentum on this issue.

Budget & Timeline

Budget: This is an invitation to quote. Please briefly outline your proposed approach to this commission, drawing on your experience to demonstrate how you would successfully deliver these objectives along with a price for completing the project. Max 4 pages.

Delivery window: Mid July 2026 to February 2027.