NATURAL England has issued a rebuttal to claims that the Lulworth Estate can no longer repair the steps leading to Durdle Door beach.

In the row over who is responsible for the crumbling steps to the world-famous landmark a spoke-sman for Natural England said landowner the Lulworth Estate can still maintain them.

Natural England says the steps are not part of the coastal path it maintains and belong to the estate, while the estate says the steps fall into the area around the coastal paths.

If no resolution is found, the steps will not be rebuilt for beachgoers in the summer.

James Weld, of the Lulworth Estate, had previously said the introduction of the Maritime and Coastal Access Act 2009 prevented estate workers from continuing to manage and maintain coastal access at Lulworth, including access to the beach.

A Natural England spokesman said: “Contrary to Mr Weld’s statement, the legislation does not take land away from landowners or interfere with their freedom to manage it.

“Durdle Door beach still belongs to the Lulworth Estate and is managed alongside the estate’s nearby holiday park, generating revenue from visitors to the park and more widely. The estate has always maintained the steps down on to the beach and remains able to do so now.”

Dorset County Council said it was willing to assist Lulworth Estate with the repairs as it has done in previous years.

Dan Ayre, head of countryside and business development, said: “We would be happy to assist coastal landowners, such as the Lulworth Estate, in repairing damage caused by erosion, as we have done in the past, but we can’t take on their insurance liability.”

Mr Weld described the situation as ‘frustrating’.

He said the estate could be exposed to ‘expensive litigation’ because the change in law means that an insurance company will have the ability to deny cover for any accidents.

Mr Weld claimed Natural England does not have the resources, experience or ability to effectively manage popular sites such as Lulworth.

He said visitors would still be able to access the beach, adding: “While safe access to the beaches is still possible, it is unlikely to be as convenient as before as I cannot see that Natural England has the resources or the willingness to continue the level of management and maintenance that the estate has striven to provide up to now.”