Naturism in Cornwall |
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Important!
In April 2008 Cornwall County Council registered footpaths in the area of the beach. For the information of locals and regular visitors who may know them, the footpaths in question include: the path leading from the clifftop, down over Fishing Point to Polgaver Beach; the route on foot down Beach Road to the development site; and lastly, the track across the front of the old Coliseum building. Put together, the granting of these three paths adds up to a rubber stamp on legally defined, unrestricted public access to the beach foreshore, in perpetuity. This prevents any doubt over the developer's intentions regarding public access.
Following of the Secretary of State’s decision to refuse planning permission for sea defences, Restormel Borough Council decided at a meeting on 11 September 2007 that "An Enforcement Notice be served on the developers to take effect twelve months from the date of service and requiring the removal of the unauthorised sea wall and the removal of materials from the site within two years from the date of the notice taking effect (notice will be agreed by officers in conjunction with the County Council)."
See news of Public Inquiry below.
See the comment by Jason, below;
It looks as if this beach has been sadly lost to naturism. Development is taking place and little hope remains for any naturist use in the long term.
With the announcement on 19 July 2004 of a public enquiry , there was renewed hope for the campaign to save the beach. NatCorn is pleased to support fully the Carlyon Bay Information. Visit the website for the latest news and offer your support.
Carlyon Bay Sea Wall Refused Planning Permission
The Secretary of State has announced the decision on the Ampersand (the developers) proposals for a new sea wall at Carlyon Bay; permission to build it has been refused.
Following lengthy consideration of all the evidence presented at the Public
Inquiry, held in December 2006, it has been decided that the plans for a new
sea wall and beach re-charge contravene three key areas of current Government
policy; Delivering Sustainable Development, Transport and Coastal Planning.
Representatives of the main organisations giving evidence had set out their cases for or against the planning application for the Sea Wall and beach re-charge at Carlyon Bay in front of the Government Inspector, Mr Robert Lyon.
Cornwall County Council, The Environment Agency and English Nature explained the reasons that all three bodies have lodged objections to the Sea Wall Proposal. Carlyon Bay Watch called upon substantial research and expert witnesses to further strengthen the case for refusal.
Although the Carlyon Bay Watch case was strong and has proved successful, naturists should not assume that this beach is useable and are advised to check regularly and before using.
"Please come along to the Public Inquiry in 7th November 2006 venue to be announced at St Austell. Carlyonbaywatch.co.uk continues to oppose the scale of the development and will be representing local concerns at this inquiry. Please see the web site carlyonbaywatch.co.uk for details. I am also awaiting since Jan 2003 decisions regarding access and the public rights of way to the beach. Please come a long lobby MP's& County Hall and any donations would be very welcome." - Gloria & Peter Price
"I am writing regarding polgaver beach and what a lovely beach it was too.
My partner is disabled and we found access to this beach the best so far why just because of some troublemakers do we serious naturists get punished and have our beauty spots taken away from us.
i know they are developing it now and it is lost forever
but surely if we all stuck together we might get a bit of the beach.
textile people have so many beaches to choose from it isn't fair what harm
are naturists doing none.
i just wish people would move with the rimes and realise that naturists are here to stay and need there enjoyment on beaches like everyone else. - Charlotte
"Carlyon Bay Camping and Caravan Park. What a shame this site is not available to Naturists during August (and even at other times, the textiles get the best of the facilities). Why is it that Textiles always push Naturists out of the way? We Naturists always have to move over and make way for the clothed masses. I guess it's our own fault for not making ourselves a massive enough market force to displace the Textiles." - Rick
"I am very sad to see the loss of this naturist beach in Carlyon Bay. My ex-wife and I spent many a day on this beach when on holiday in the area in the 80's, in fact this beach was her first experience of naturism. I have not been down to the area since the early 90's, must admit most holidays since then have been taken overseas. I hope all is not lost and something can be salvaged." - Martin (6 July 2005)
"As regular users of Polgaver beach we are saddened to learn that it is closed , yet again. Our suggestion to stop the unwanted behaviour of the certain few people involved is that perhaps the owners should consider removing all of the bushes at the back of the beach, therefore giving the culprits no where to go. We feel this is worth a try and perhaps it will put them off using the beach for their purpose and we can enjoy it as it should be." - Crabbie (17 July 2002).
"Having visited Polgaver for the last two years and have been looking forward to visiting again this year my holiday has been spoiled by the actions of a perverted minority with no thought for anyone but themselves. Last year during my holiday the beach was well used, including families with children, surely the revenue from the charges could be used to clear the bushes and employ some security to deal with any moron who thinks a naturist beach is for their sordid pursuits and let us have the best beach in Cornwall back for genuine naturists." - Carol (16 July 2002)
"I have been a naturist all my life and used to visit Polgaver frequently, especially during summer holidays when there was a lively and friendly atmosphere. My complaint was that when it was too quiet, one felt isolated, intimidated, outnumbered and almost threatened by the constant attention of clothed (and semi-clothed) males 'on constant patrol', sometimes sitting very close by and staring... I regret that it has closed, but I much prefer Vault Beach anyway and hope it remains free of the unwanted attentions of these voyeurs." - WJ (21 June 2003)
"Regarding Polgaver, I'm saddened to hear of its imminent closure as I first discovered it in 94 and returned again in 96. At the time, I did realise that the bushes were an ongoing problem for naturists, and for occasional naturists such as my partner and myself. (Yes, we're a gay couple, no, we don't subscribe to the voyeurism and cruising). I've just booked accommodation nr. St Austell tonight in the hope of spending a good few lazy & long days on the beach, so can anyone tell me if it is actually still open & viable for the post-August bank holiday week, and if not, could anyone recommend other naturist spots within a reasonable car drive from St. Austell? Many thanks" - Chris
"Steve has already posted news that the current complex is
due for demolition in September. It is possible that the whole area will be
shut to everyone during development for Health and Safety reasons. A group,
naturist and non naturist, are working together to ensure rights
of access continue after this closure.
To do so they are seeking to register the beach area and heath land under the Common Land Act 1965 as a village green. They need to show actual use of the land by the local inhabitants for lawful sports and pastimes for a period of not less than twenty years.
They are looking for such evidence of usage in photographs, articles or letters. Statements from people who have used the beach, especially in the seventies (or earlier), eighties and nineties would be helpful.
They should be sent to Peter Price, 15 Appletree Lane, Carlyon Bay, St Austell PL25 3QB. You can e-mail him at asginc@asginc.eurobell.co.uk" - Suzanne Piper
"POLGAVER UPDATE . Having just read the latest edition of H&E naturist i found out that Polgaver is up and running as well as the rest of the beach at Carlyon bay.The access road down to the beach is also open but you have to park at the top of the hill as the beach car park is closed.From the car park at the top of the access road you can either go down the new steps to the textiles beach and trudge along to the far end-hard work-or take the cliff path along the golf course.As the path drops down,there is a track off to the right that takes you down the cliff and straight onto the beach.Easy.The dunes and scrubland to the back of the beach are now fenced off but as no work is going on at this end of the bay,it is as quiet and peaceful as it always was and it might be years before they develop that end of the bay." - Jason
"My wife and I visited this beach when you could ride on a miniature railway to it from the leisure centre in the early eighties.
I have seen Steve's Web site and used the link to see the development (proposed there) have people not heard of what happened to Hallsands in South Devon to a similar sea level location one stormy night!
This development is sheer lunacy!
How can the local council give permission?" - Milford