Godrevy’s Beach Car Park to Relocate Due to Coastal Erosion in Cornwall

In a move to address coastal erosion while enhancing public access and environmental conservation, the National Trust has submitted a comprehensive planning application for a significant redevelopment at Godrevy, a notable headland within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The ambitious project, identified as PA23/01468, proposes the relocation of cliff-top parking to a less visually sensitive area, specifically an existing farm site. This relocation is a response to the increasing difficulty in maintaining the existing access route due to coastal erosion. The project aims to preserve important facilities that, without intervention, risk becoming inaccessible in the medium term, potentially leading to significant economic and social impacts on the local area.

Key elements of the proposed development include:

• Landscape and Ecological Planning: The plan involves a detailed Landscape and Ecological Management Plan, ensuring careful management of landscape assets and habitats. Efforts to mitigate impacts on the landscape include a Landscape Visual Impact Assessment and the use of native planting to enhance the site’s ecological value.
• Flood Risk and Drainage Strategy: Prepared by Hydrock, the strategy addresses flood risks and surface water drainage, essential for maintaining the site’s sustainability and resilience against climate change.
• Biodiversity Enhancement: Cornwall Environmental Consulting will oversee ecological surveys and assessments, targeting a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain. This will involve creating new habitats, including dune grassland, to compensate for the new access route through the Towans dune system.
• Parking and Access Realignment: The proposal outlines a strategy to relocate parking spaces to the east of Godrevy Farm, accessed via a revised road alignment. This change not only addresses coastal erosion concerns but also aims to restore the existing headland car park area to coastal scrubland, enhancing the area’s natural beauty.
• Sustainable Transport and Visitor Facilities: The plan includes maintaining the popular Godrevy café and car park, ensuring the site remains an attractive destination for visitors. The parking strategy accommodates both short-stay and longer-stay visitors, with provisions for electric vehicle charging stations and accessible spaces.
• Policy Compliance: The development aligns with several key policies from the Climate Emergency Development Plan Document, including those on green infrastructure design, biodiversity net gain, and sustainable transport.

The National Trust has sought pre-application advice to ensure that the development aligns with local planning policies and addresses concerns related to the sensitive coastal environment. The proposal represents a significant effort to balance the need for public access with environmental protection and sustainability, setting a precedent for future coastal developments in Cornwall and beyond.

More information and plans can be found on Cornwall Councils planning website.