FAQ

Who are CarlyonBayWatch?
Where is Carlyon Bay?
What is the History of Crinnis Beach?
What is the status of Crinnis Beach now?
Who are Ampersand?
Why is Crinnis Beach in the News?
Why does Crinnis Beach matter?
Who uses the Beach?
What does the local community think?
What do the other statutory/advisory bodies think?
What about the future?

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CarlyonBayWatch Ltd.
A not-for-profit company, limited by the guarantee of its members, and representing :
The Apple Tree Social Group, The Charlestown Residents,
Beach Road Residents, and Sea Road Frontagers.
c/o 1, Wheal Northey, St. Austell, Cornwall, PL25 3EF.
Tel: 01726 74666 Fax: 01726 67480. www.carlyonbaywatch.co.uk

This website has been set up to present the views of a group of residents of Carlyon Bay.

The group comprises a number of representatives from local residents associations (The Apple Tree Social Group, The Charlestown Residents, Beach Road Residents, Sea Road Frontagers) who were invited and have been attending regular Focus Group with Ampersand (the property developer) in order to remain well informed on, and to attempt to have input into, the progress of the project. They are from a cross section of ages, professions, interests and political allegiances but are united in their belief that the Beach development is out of scale for the area and represents an environmental outrage in the making.

Where is Carlyon Bay?

Carlyon Bay is a quiet residential area which sits on the coastline in the curve of St Austell Bay on the south coast of Cornwall. There are approximately 500 houses and 3 hotels there. Carlyon Bay's Crinnis Beach is a beautiful spot - nearly a mile long stretch of sand surrounded by high cliffs. It is recognised as one of the finest locations on the Cornish Riviera. (See Map.)

What is the History of Crinnis Beach?

Before 1900, there was a great deal of mining activity locally and, during 1939/45, access was improved by the military. After the war, a large entertainment complex (now known as "The Cornwall Coliseum") was built on the beach and began to provide a wide range of attractions for visitors and locals alike. This has now fallen into disrepair and apart from the weekend nightclub, is largely unused. It is considered an eyesore by locals and the consensus is that something should be done to improve it, but at the same time, by far and away the majority of residents would like an improvement which is in keeping with the view from land and sea and the ambience of the area.

What is the status of Crinnis Beach now?

Restormel Borough Council (RBC) who have already drawn central Government attention for questionable planning decisions (e.g. the infamous debacle at Roche in central Cornwall) granted planning permission in 1988 for 511 holiday homes on the beach. In 1996, on the basis of white lines having been painted on the road, RBC decided that "work had started" and, thereby, made Planning Consent permanent.

Just a few years later, a company named Ampersand were able to purchase the property and in 2002 prepared revised Planning Applications seeking firstly the removal of a number of the original Planning Conditions, and then a major revision of the plan itself. There were to be added a number of major facilities such as a 39 bedroom hotel, a sports complex, conference facilities and approximately 30,000 square feet of retail floorspace.

Despite advice being given in the strongest possible terms by Cornwall County Council, by the Environment Agency and indeed by its Chairman, the Borough's Development Control Committee granted the revised consent.

But the decision has been referred to the Secretary of State and is currently under consideration.

Who are Ampersand?

A good question - best answered by the company itself. Carlyon Bay Watch have attempted to find out more about this significant player in the regions' future and have come up with little in terms of financial or track records.

Why is Crinnis Beach in the News?

All the history and natural dramatic beauty of this place may soon be overshadowed by a massive building project. The 511 holiday dwellings plan to turn this quiet Cornish beach into a "world beating" and very exclusive resort. The developer has started a high profile marketing campaign to promote the sale of the flats. At the same time, the local residents associations have grouped together under one banner to canvass opinion on the scale and likely impact of the scheme and to provide a counterbalance to the seductive marketing hype.

Inevitably, there is some debate in the press about the relative merits of both sides. The developer promises an economic boost to the region with a flood of service industry jobs, whereas the Residents associations argue caution, warning of unprecedented traffic increases and environmental impact because of the size and nature of the project. The Beach Development will roughly double the existing accommodation in the area but no new access road is planned.

Most recently the development has been in the news because Restormel Borough Council have referred the latest planning application to the Secretary of State. Carlyon Bay Watch canvassed the area to give residents an opportunity to sign a petition to John Prescott, requesting a full public enquiry. The reaction was one of remarkable consensus. Among over 900 opinions canvassed, there was overwhelming support for a full Public Enquiry into the matter, and a petition signed by 929 people and supported by a number of letters of concern, including a key letter from the Governors of the local school, was delivered to the Government Office of the South West at Plymouth on the 11th. July.

Why does Crinnis Beach matter?

In these times of dwindling countryside and fast pace of living our natural heritage has become all the more valuable. The natural beauty of Cornwalls' coves and coastline are among the reasons why it is loved by locals and draws tourists in their thousands. Setting a precedent of building on beaches seems to run counter not only to current environmental thinking but also against very reason why tourists visit the county.

The result of the Planning Committees recent decision appears to be that over 90% of Crinnis Beach will be covered with a high density of buildings and concrete. The implementation of the Consent, granted without the benefit of either an Environmental Impact Assessment or a Flood Risk Assessment has serious and long term implications. It was granted in the teeth of the strongest possible advice from County Highways about the serious traffic problems which will ensue and will mean that well over a mile of natural Cornish coastline will be lost for ever.

Part of the area upon which the proposed development is to be built are designated RIGS sites (Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Sites)

RIGS are sites of geological or geomorphicalogical interest excluding Sites of Special Scientific Interest, that are considered worthy of protection for their education, research, historical or aesthetic importance. RIGS are broadly analogous to non statutory wildlife sites. RIGS are regarded as sites of regional importance in their own right and are equivalent in status to Cornwall Nature Conservation Sites (CNCs).

RIGS sites are supposed to be protected and planning applications that may affect either a site or its setting are supposed to be considered with the RIGS sites in mind.

There are 2 RIGS sites on the Carlyon Bay Beach area.

Who uses the Beach?

Many generations of locals and visiting tourists have taken for granted the simple pleasures of a day at Crinnis Beach. Nestled in the centre of the bay, it's sheltered position and predictable offshore currents make it a relatively a safe waterside environment for families. It is frequented by walkers, swimmers, fishermen, windsurfers and at the farthest end, a small community of nudists. Local school children conduct projects on the beach - the whole community uses it. It's delights are a rare resource these days and one which we have a responsibility to protect for future generations.

What does the local community think?

The majority of local residents (shown by the strength of numbers who signed the petition weighed against the number of houses in the area) do not have confidence in Restormel Borough Councils decision and have petitioned for a public enquiry.

The stated reasons for the petition given to the Minister by the Group were that not only was this development totally overwhelming and completely out of scale with the existing communities of St.Austell Bay, but also that the decision taken by the Borough Council was seriously flawed.

It was taken in contempt of the County Structure Plan and the County Development Plan, and in contempt of the very serious traffic problems already experienced locally. There are huge risks with this development which ultimately may become the burden of the taxpayer.

What do the other statutory/advisory bodies think?

• English nature are a statutory consultee and have objections
• Friends of the earth also oppose
• The Regional Tourist Board for the South West of England offers some conditional support provided that;

  ....."if the proposal did go ahead we would like to see really active consideration of making this a car-free resort, with people either being encouraged to use public transport, or the parking area for the resort being sited at a distance from it, near the main road system, with a courtesy bus system. This could provide a car-free development which would prove far more acceptable to local people as the impact on their lives from traffic would be minimised Secondly, although we realise that the development is working on existing planning consent, we would like to see the highest level of environmental management taking place to minimise, if not completely negate, any negative impact on the natural beach and cliff habitats." Malcom Bell, Chief Executive of South West Tourism, in his letter to Mr R.Bayley, GOSW, dated 25th July 2003

• SW Coastal Path Association sent one ambivalent letter and have followed it up with another proposing a footpath through the complex
• Charlestown School Governors have written to GOSW objecting

A development which is set to add an unprecedented amount of traffic to an already straining infrastructure and which will permanently alter the character and appearance of St Austell Bay from land and from sea, surely needs careful re-thinking. The area needs jobs, but at what price? We do need a sustainable development at Crinnis Beach, but surely one which is in keeping with the size and character of Cornwalls unique appeal. The future demands a full public enquiry.

For further information please contact Sara Barrett or Barry Squires

c/o 1, Wheal Northey, St.Austell, Cornwall PL25 3EF.
Tel : 01726 74666 Fax : 01726 67480
email press@carlyonbaywatch.co.uk