Locals living in a picturesque coastal area of Cornwall are frantically trying to stop plans for a car park payment machine and number plate camera at a beauty spot. The landowner’s previous attempts to install parking equipment have been slammed as “predatory”, “invasive” and even a “crime”. CornwallLive readers have been discussing the issuer in our comments section.
In June, Cornwall Council’s planning department rejected an application by Initial Parking Ltd, based in Birmingham, to put a payment machine and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera in West Portholland car park on behalf of Caerhays Estate. The site is within the Cornwall National Landscape, the Heritage Coast, and part of its boundary is formed by two Grade II listed lime kiln structures, with access to the South West Coast Path.
The application was initially rejected, but an appeal by the developer won approval after Government planning inspector Hollie Nicholls visited the site on December 11. Nicholls stated: “Whilst the proposal would add what would appear as two further modern items, they would not result in the spoiling of the area through modern or alien features.”
A similar request had previously been labelled a “crime” by Cornwall Councillor John Fitter when it faced rejection in November 2021. Meanwhile, local residents near the quaint coastal hamlet on the Roseland Peninsula – situated between Truro and St Austell – banded together to form an action group known as Friends of Portholland against offensive and unsightly parking schemes.
The latest plan garnered close to 150 objections submitted on the Cornwall Council’s planning portal.
Commenter Plantish says: “Many free beach car parks exist all along the Cornish coastline, some much more heavily used than this, whose owners manage to keep them free. Some are a bit rough and potholes, but most reasonable locals don’t mind low maintenance in exchange for free use. Maybe Caerhays should donate the car park to someone who is willing to maintain it without charging local people to access their own coastline.
Mick6161 agrees: “It’s just greed on behalf of the Caerhays Estate. West Portholland is a lovely little spot, and well off the beaten track. I’ve only ever seen a couple of cars parked there, and it’s not as if those car owners would get a lot in return for their money should they have to pay, like a decent surface to park on, public toilet or anything like that. If the Estate wants to outline all the costs they incur annually from the car park as it is, then maybe I might be more sympathetic, but I’d suggest those costs are currently nil, but am happy to be proved wrong.”
Scott_cornish adds: “This is ludicrous, it’s just putting money making stupidity above the thing that makes Cornwall what it is. It’s bad enough the National Trust messing up Hemmick Beach Parking. These are places off the beaten track. Bigger picture surely? This is lame.”
Alreadyinusenotbyme asks: “Why does every bit of land that people wish to go now have to become an earning opportunity for someone? Will we soon be charged for using the pavement?”
Geoffreybazeley replies: “Once again it is the decision of one man/woman who does not live there that is making a decision against the majority of the people that live and go there. I used to go to all of these sites fishing or just visiting. I no longer go there because of the parking charges and car parks being closed at a certain time of the day. As if they can’t make enough money during the summer time. Greed.”
Linda Bode thinks differently: “Their land, therefore their right to charge. The income would help pay for necessary repairs.”
Barry Steel agrees: “I’d put a barrier up and close it. Why should the owners maintain the car park for free? Maybe they only want a small fee to cover the upkeep?”
Stephen Horscroft writes: “Go on, let’s clutter even more of the beautiful Cornish natural environment with signs and cameras and let’s pile on even more costs on hard pressed local people that deters them from looking after their mental health by going to the beach.”
John Fowler replies: “Having the space full of cars ruins it as an area of outstanding beauty anyway! Charging for parking is their prerogative.”
Lorna Coley disagrees: “It’s wrong, nothing is free anymore. Beaches should be free, no one owns the sea or beaches, it’s just greedy. Some people and families go to the beach because it’s cheap and cheerful and they can’t afford to go anywhere else. Also disabled people can’t walk so they have to use cars!”
Do you think beach car parks should be able to charge for parking? Would the signs detract from the local beauty? Have your say in our comments section.
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