News

Here are the latest events in the CBW campaign against the beach developments at Carlyon Bay.

June 2007: Sea Wall decision re-kindles controversy over the Ampersand plans for the Carlyon Bay beaches.

On Tuesday 19th June the long-awaited decision on the outcome of the 2006 Public Inquiry into the proposed sea wall and beach re-charge plans was announced.

Predictably, the local press erupted with the usual flurry of partisan letters and vested-interest marketing-speak which has fed the controversy over the proposed development since the plans came to public attention in 2000.

By June 22nd, the issue had caught the attention of the national press. Ian Herbert of the 'The Independent on Sunday' reminded his readers of the history and background of the development and outlined the key reasons influencing the Secretary of State's decision, aside from the local opposition campaign,

'Ms Kelly agreed that a "large engineered development in a largely undeveloped bay" ran contrary to planning guidelines.

The existing sea wall nearer the proposed development provides a fall-back option but reverting to it may "diminish investor confidence", Ms Kelly said.'

Read the full article here.

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Spring 2007 Update: CBW supporters are cheered by government plans to grant legal access to the entire length of England's coastline.

In a few weeks time, Natural England, the new body tasked with protecting the countryside, will put plans to the Government to introduce legislation to prevent owners and developers from preventing ramblers gaining easy, continuous access to our shoreline.

The move will be a key challenge to all so-called private beaches run by holiday firms and hotels.

Natural England also made specific mention of the "public disquiet" against the Ampersand plans at Carlyon Bay, which could threaten public access to the beach as part of a £200 million scheme to build 511 holiday flats across the three beaches.

Annual Supporters Circular Walk to Polgavor Beach

On Sunday 24th October 2006 a group of 8 local ramblers, CBW members and friends, completed the now traditional Beach circular walk. They set off at 10:30 from the Old Oak tree for a windy walk down the Beach Road access, along part of the South West Coast Path, down Fishing Point and onto the beach, ambling back along the waters edge, through the river to return via the cliff steps. This walk, which has been enjoyed by generations of locals and visitors alike, has been put firmly on the map of traditional St Austell Bay rambles and is taken annually to exercise the rights of the public to access the Carlyon Bay beaches from Fishermans Point.

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July 06 Update

On July 13th the Pre-Inquiry Meeting was held to introduce the principal players, determine the ground rules and running order for the full Public Inquiry starting on 7th November. Events are expected to take place over 3 weeks and, owing to the acoustics at Tregorrick Rugby Club, the venue is going to be reviewed. We'll publish the location here as soon as it is known.

At the last CBW meeting two things were decided which may be of interest to our local supporters. Firstly, Mr Terry Beer, who has put in a sterling performance as CBW Chairman for over two years, experienced a spell of ill health back in January. Still active and involved in the campaign, he has decided to take on the role of CBW President. Roy Bennett has stepped into the firing line and duly been elected Chairman of the group in his stead.

Secondly, we are increasing our fundraising efforts. The photocopying costs for the Public Inquiry alone are a big drain on the coffers, so as an initial top-up, we are going to have a Bonzer Boot Sale Bonanza over the coming summer months. If you have any goods that would be suitable, we will gladly arrange collection from you. Just email press@carlyonbaywatch.co.uk and we will send an email reply with the CBW Volunteer contact phone numbers to organise a local pick-up. Clear out your garage for a good cause!

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GOSW Announce Sea Wall Public Inquiry to be held from 7th November 2006

GOSW have announced the date and location of the Public Inquiry into the Sea Wall and Beach Re-charge Proposals - November 7th 2006 at St Austell RUFC, Tregorrick Park, St Austell. Note; This venue may be changed, see above for the latest developments.

It must be said that eyebrows were slightly raised at CBW Campaign headquarters. We had first been led to expect the Inquiry to take place early in 2007. We asked ourselves what rare and special thing might have been applied to the cogs of the machine to bring on such unusual efficiency? As to that, we can only speculate, and celebrate.

The CBW team have, after all, been working towards a public inquiry since 2003. We anticipate the opportunity, this autumn, to set out the substantial body of robust, consistent, well researched and scientific evidence which has been piling up, all of it loudly challenging the sustainability and environmental implications of the Ampersand Beach proposals.

More about this later, but we are looking forward to seeing as many of our community suppporters in the public area as can possibly give up their time to come.

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CBW ViceChairman on 'Desert Island Discs' Bay Radio Show

In February, Mark Frazer, ViceChairman of CBW, was given a surprise invitation to take part in a Desert Island Discs-style programme on the new community radio station for St Austell Bay. The station aims to keep local people up to date with all the latest news and events going on in the Bay community. With his eclectic taste in music and keen interest in environmental issues, including involvement in the CBW campaign over the controversial beach development at Carlyon Bay, Mark was a natural choice as a participant and one of the first in a series of interesting local Castaways.

Find out more about the programme here...

http://www.rsab.org/

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GOSW Announce Public Inquiry into Sea Wall and Beach Re-Charge proposals

Friday 13th January 2006 may have been unlucky for some. However, it marked a triumph in the CBW campaign against the beach development and luck had little to do with it. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced their long awaited decision on the latest round of planning applications - there would be a Public Inquiry.

CBW Chair, Mr Terry Beer comments;"This is a victory for common sense and community campaigning. We are delighted that the ODPM has considered all the submissions and decided that the potential impact of the Beach plans demands this level of scrutiny."

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CBW Community Mandate Renewed

On Sunday 30th October CarlyonBayWatch held a second successful and well attended Information and Awareness day on the Beach plans, exploring topics such as 'Flood Risk', 'Transport Impacts' and 'Local Ecology'. There was a steady stream of visitors all afternoon and at 7:30pm the hall was packed for an audio visual presentation by CBW.

Judging by the turnout on Sunday and the number of messages of support which CBW received during and since the event, the call for a Public Inquiry is loud and clear.

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Funds Raised

As ever, campaign activities continue courtesy of the many generous donations of time and money from members of the St Austell Bay community.

The 2005 Christmas dinner social evening raised a festive £80, whilst the October 30th Information and Awareness Day held at Charlestown added a tremendous £320 to campaign coffers.

Many thanks to all of you who attended these events and special thanks to those who gave contributions, especially the representatives from Friends of the Earth whose presence of support was followed by a substantial welcome donation.

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Article in Local Press

The Information and Awareness Day was well reported in the local press. Read all about it...

http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/