Western Morning News 26th July 2003

Beach Development a threat to tourism

YOU report that investors are "jumping at the chance to put down deposits" on homes in the new Carlyon Bay development (WMN, July11).

Have we forgotten just what it is that gives Cornwall its unique character?

The magnificent natural setting of Crinnis Beach, which will be lost forever isn't mentioned. Just how many more developers could be invited to follow this path to coastal and heathland destruction?

There are large areas of heathland and tracks at the back of Shorthorn and Polgaver Beaches which form part of the Carlyon Bay area. This is a haven for wild plants and birds and butterflies.

Polgaver is an area known to be of geological interest and has also served as an important tourist attraction for years as the only official naturist area and beach in Cornwall.

If you consider the accessible beaches in the St Austell Bay area you will see that out of a total of six, four are now in private ownership. This has the potential of closure of the bay as a tourist destination.

The fact is that visitors and public alike, other than those fortunate enough to pay the large sums to live on a beach, can only look down from the coastal path above. You may as well put a sign up on the A30 saying "St Austell Bay closed to tourism due to privatisation".

This contradicts the current mood of the country and government with emphasis being put on greater use of the countryside and promoting healthy activity.

There is a link between beaches being sold off in Cornwall and historically being a Duchy because in other areas beaches are protected and can not be sold off.

Once the shoreline has been enclosed the people are- unable to reach between high and low water mark although legally entitled to access this strip of coast-land, as has happened at Duporth permanently and did happen at Charlestown recently.

I have visited tourist/rich enclave bubbles abroad and it leads to tension and greater local poverty.

Gloria Price Carlyon Bay St Austell