The report published last week by Sir David King, the Government's Chief Scientist, highlights the folly of the proposed beach development, according to the local community pressure group CarlyonBayWatch.
The report, produced by Sir David and a panel of sixty experts, makes clear that the likelihood of flooding and coastal erosion in Cornwall and similar parts of the UK has been seriously underestimated, even using a "best case scenario". Within a worst-case scenario, the effects of global warming have been understated by twenty times. The map indicating areas at risk clearly shows that parts of Cornwall such as St.Austell Bay are in the danger zone.
Peter Browning, spokesman for CarlyonBayWatch, said "This report is irrefutable evidence supporting our repeated concerns about the risk of flooding at the site of the proposed Ampersand development. The proposition of building on any beach a supposedly long-term development of this scale, in the light of Sir David's report, can only be described as irresponsible utter folly, some might even feel it to be reckless. It does not take an expert to understand the implications of Sir David King's report for much of the coastline of Cornwall. It reinforces our alarm that that the proposed mile long sea wall at Carlyon Bay will have a knock on effect on the Par River estuary and the St.Blazey Flood-Plain.
Since 1989 when consent for the 511 apartments on the Beach at Carlyon Bay Beach was originally granted, environmental conditions have changed beyond all prediction. There is now an overwhelming body of evidence which can only point to the conclusion that if the Beach development is built, there will be a negative impact on the area around it on a scale which could not have been planned for fifteen years ago. It has also been publicly acknowledged, not least by Restormel Borough Councils cabinet leader on planning matters, Councillor Brown, on a recent edition of Spotlight, that the extant planning permission upon which the current Ampersand Proposals are based, would not be granted today. Matthew Taylor has echoed this view in his recent press release.
Mr Browning adds, "The implementation of the origninal consent, granted without the benefit of either an Environmental Impact Assessment or a Flood Risk Assessment has serious long term implications. The time has come to scrutinise these consequences in the light of current research. If the Secretary of State does not see fit to order a public enquiry on the whole development and simply sends the recent planning applications back to the Borough Council for a final decision, we believe it is in the public interest that they be given the full attention of the whole council, and not just that of the small group on the planning committee - the weight of any decision made demands nothing less.
As Sir David King, the Government's chief scientist states, "The challenge of increased flood risk needs to be considered now"
( A synopsis of the report, "The Foresight Flood and Coastal Defence Project", is available on http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3648391.stm ) ENDS.
Editors Notes;
CarlyonBayWatchwas formed as an umbrella group covering various residents associations in the area, in response to concerns about the holiday development to be built across Crinnis, Polgaver and Shorthorn beaches. A selection of members have been meeting regularly with representatives of the development company, Ampersand, since Spring 2003.
Supporting Groups English Nature, Friends of the Earth, The Cornwall Wildlife Trust, The Campaign for the Preservation of the Rural Environment, The Environment Agency, Cornwall County Council, Charlestown School have either raised objections, or called for further information relating to the impact of the project. At the demonstration on 28th February CBW expect to be joined by members of The Campaign for the Preservation of Rural England, The Celtic League, The St Austell Civic Society and The Ramblers Association, among others.
Petition In July 2003, CarlyonBayWatch delivered a petition of 929 signatures to the Government Office of the South West at Plymouth, calling for the matter to be referred to a full Public Enquiry. We are still waiting for the decision on this.
Village Green Application On 04/07/03 a member of CarlyonBayWatch provided evidence and made application to register the land being known as Carlyon Bay, including Crinnis, Shorthorn and Polgaver Beaches as a Village Green under the Commons Registration Act. This area of land consists of heath land at the base of the cliffs and beaches.
EvidenceThe main body of evidence for the application includes over 300 witness evidence statements attesting to over 20 years constant usage of the beach for purposes legal Sports and Pastimes in support of an Application for the registration of land which became a Town or Village Green after 2nd of January 1970. The evidence also includes numerous old Tithe and Mining Maps, correspondence, photographs and extracts from text and local information booklets. This application has been registered as duly made and has entered the consultation process.
Web site CBW web site was launched in September 2003 and has had a tremendous 29,000 hits to date. Following reports in the National press we continue to receive emails from across the country from ex-residents and holiday visitors alike, supporting our campaign.
Wildlife Cornwall Wildlife Trust has identified Shorthorn Beach, the middle beach of the 3 beaches which make up Carlyon Bay Beach, as a site of national importance. It is one of only 2 places in Cornwall which are home to a pretty and unusual, nationally notable Moth, the Cream-bordered Green Pea Moth. These are just some of the uncommon coast-plants that still survive along the beach; Common Fleabane, Evening Primrose, Frosted orache, Mossy stonecrop, Samphire, Scentless Mayweed, Sea Plantain, Sea Rocket, Sea Sandwort, Seaside centaury, Shrubby sea-blite.
Permissions At the time of writing, and without prejudice, we are trying to establish the precise nature of any permissions and authorisations which are in place for this current closure of the beach. Whilst a section of the road leading down to the beach may or may not enjoy private status, it is no more private than Cypress Avenue or Sea Road, all of which pedestrians have used for over a 100 years.