Letters to the Editor

How stupid does Mr Haslam of Gwel an Mor, think the people of Portreath are! You can buy some of the people but not all of the people.

How dare he in a recent article say he knew of no opposition to his proposed development?

He knows full well of the growing anger a lot of local people are feeling who are decidedly against his plans.'

 
 

Why is he being given so much free publicity in local papers? Is this another form of brainwashing?

Does he think we care so little about our village that we will let him ruin it with a plague of out of character chalets reminiscent of Butlins?

 

  A noisy tower block dominating the hillside, and even more noise and light pollution from the ski slope, which I believe to be a red herring.

 

As we all know if you want 500 chalets apply for something ridiculous like a ski slope,
when it's turned down you end up with consent for 500 chalets which you would not normally be allowed to build,
locals think they have triumphed & Mr Haslam continues to scatter chalets
all over the farm land he is busy buying up, more people noise and light pollution.

 

 The jobs he offers are not real employment, some workers will be kept on through the year but the majority will be laid off after 5 months
at the end of the season as Gwel an Mor has no more to offer than many any other places who struggle through off season months.

 

 It is quite clear Mr Haslam does not care for our village or its people; if he did he would not put this proposed blight on us.

 

 We are just another investment opportunity which when finished will be sold for many millions leaving us as always the poorer.

 

 If you feel as passionately as I do about this CALL KERRIER PLANNING NOW. It's no good moaning later!

 

Pamella Christ

 

Dear Editor

 

The active PR machinery for the developer of Gwel an Mor, has meant that he has received a large amount of free advertising and publicity in the local media. Unfortunately, the worries of those people who have doubts about the proposals for the development of Feadon Farm have not been given equal attention by the media. Reading the PR publicity gives the impression that all is on course, and that every one thinks the planning proposals are wonderful. However, there have been so many doubts, objectors, reports called for on 'grey' areas, etc, that discussion of the plans at a Planning Meeting has been delayed until at least November, although the application went in to Kerrier in April.

 

The proposed development is outside the village 'envelope' – a reason previously used many times by local planning authorities to reject immediately any domestic applications to build. Why should Mr Haslem's project be treated differently?

 

If the building of these holiday lodges is allowed to go ahead then a precedent will be created that could open the floodgates for further holiday developments on local green field farmland. Too much development of this kind will mean that the peaceful, unspoilt countryside and beautiful rugged charm of Cornwall will be lost, cancelling out the reasons that holiday makers come here. Does the village community really want Portreath to become an exploited place of second homes and holiday development, all at prices too high for local people to afford?

 

In his own publicity the developer has described the village of Portreath as uncommercialised, historical and peaceful- yet he proposes to commercialise Feadon Farm with an all year round holiday attraction, unsympathetically sited within an area that has just been given World Heritage status. The historic Tram route, the Incline, Feadon Woods and Illogan Woods, will all be swallowed up inside his development, which is criss-crossed by public footpaths and bridleways that are popular with local people. There have not, as yet, been adequate archaeological surveys on the area covered by the development.

 

The high density of the existing lodge development can already be seen from the road approaching Portreath along North Cliffs, from Green Lane, Lighthouse Hill, Forth Vean, Belerian Road, and Treleigh. If the development goes ahead the number of lodges will be doubled to 120. An 'observation tower' the height of a four-story building is planned to go on the proposed conference centre. The development will have a visual impact on the village which the aerial views of the plans does not make clear. (This was the case with the present development- the plans we all saw did not mention that some lodges would be built on top of platforms to give them a sea view – which means that they overlook homes and invade privacy)

 

The developer's publicity plays down the impact of the extra traffic that will be generated by his holiday guests and daily users of the golf course, fishing lakes, ski slope, conference centre and equestrian centre. The surrounding roads are narrow, and the connections with the A30 imperfect. A report on the Kerrier planning web-site shows that Highways & Transport Officers have reservations. Portreath Parish Council has asked that more consideration is given to the safety and visibility of the entrance shown on the present plans, which also serves 19 private residential homes. Even the existing signs make it appear that these privately owned properties are part of Gwel an Mor.

 

Another report on the web-site raises questions about flies. The public footpath goes past the 'runs' for the pet hotel. The planned stables will be very close to the other planned facilities and the existing lodges. There will be a lot of manure from thirty horses! The developer has said that he plans to use the Tram and the Country Park to give riding lessons. (The Plans show less than the recommended amount of grazing per horse) The horses may also use Portreath beach. At the moment dog-owners are fined if they do not clean up dog mess. There are no rules for clearing horse mess.

 

The proposed ski slope will have a huge environmental footprint. Natural land will be covered with plastic, which will have water continually pumped around it to keep it damp. This will affect the natural drainage flow. There will be a chair lift and floodlighting. The slope ends on the perimeter of Illogan Woods, which has many varieties of wildlife. The only consideration of local wildlife seems to be to exploit them as an added attraction with invasive video cameras relaying pictures from bat boxes and badger holes etc. to the lodges.

 

Most of the jobs promised at Gwel an Mor will be seasonal and/or part time. Camborne & Redruth will change out of all recognition over the next few years because of all the planned building of affordable homes, housing estates, and commercial opportunities. CPR Regeneration already has solid plans for hotels, leisure and sports centres and conference facilities that will bring a sustainable employment base into the community. All these extra people in the area will, no doubt, want to access the facilities of Portreath and its beach. The difference will be that, as local residents, they will be helping to pay for the infrastructure of the area through Council Tax and Water Rates etc.!

 

The expansion of Gwel an Mor is a huge commercial project. It will affect the whole village community of Portreath. Obviously, the quality of life will change most for those of us who live closest to it. We have already suffered more than three long years of the mess and noise from the development of 60 lodges. Fields surrounding our properties have been used to store building materials, and to site caravans for the immigrant workers. Constant movement of delivery lorries, trucks and 'plant' vehicles has meant that our access has been alternately a sea of mud and a dust bath. Promises made for weekly road cleaning and for car-wash vouchers have not been kept. The thought of another 4yrs of construction is not a happy one. If the plans go ahead we will find ourselves owning homes that are sited in the middle of a holiday attraction.

 

If this scheme is allowed to go ahead, the character and charm of Portreath will change for ever. It is not too late to write to Kerrier with your Planning objections.

 

Feadon Residents Group

c/o 3 Marina Court

Dear Editor

 

Mr Haslam from Gwel an Mor has promoted his development in the last edition of the Tram and has had numerous reports in the local papers and on the radio. Although there has been many letters sent to the papers, only twice has anything been printed against the development.

 

No-one denies that the builders and the interior designer have done a magnificent job, the impact and density of the lodges is the problem with the site at present. They can be seen from the road along North Cliff, Green Lane, Lighthouse Hill, Forth Vean, Belerion Road, Treleigh and the sea. Nothing can be done to change this but if there is more development in this part of the countryside it will be spoilt for ever.

 

The ski slope and some of the proposed buildings may not be seen but others will be visible. The height of the conference centre makes it visible for miles. The proposed buildings are outside the village 'envelope' – if these holiday lodges are allowed there will be no reason to stop anyone building holiday accommodation outside the 'envelope' – do we want Lighthouse Hill and Green Lane etc. spoilt in this way?

 

Employment is needed in Cornwall but our young people need and want more than the tourist industry, they need skilled careers, manufacturing etc. Businesses do not have to be in big cities with the technology of today. Cornwall is becoming saturated with holiday sites which mean that the reasons visitors come to Cornwall are fast disappearing. Cornwall is rugged, beautiful, unspoilt countryside, beaches and peace – once this has gone it can never be replaced.

 

Some regular visitors who have seen the plans, the site and the various articles have said that Portreath will no longer attract them if the development goes ahead; the village in all publicity is described as uncommercialised, historical and peaceful. This will no longer be the case.

 

The ski slope will not provide alternate interest to holiday makers – if it rains people want to be inside. Also the ski slope will affect the natural habitat and water dispersion in the area; even though the surface is not solid it will still stop the water soaking into the ground so well therefore affecting the houses in Primrose Terrace.

 

So much development would change the wildlife activity in the area where they have been free to roam for years, you can't tell a badger, sloe worm, or fox not to worry – the buildings will be finished in a couple of years and then it will be peaceful again!

 

If the conference centre is used to the capacity required to make it viable, the increase in traffic all around the village will be tremendous, Cot Road, Penpraze, Tregea Hill, Beach Road and Penberthy Road are dangerous enough at present.

 

A mini bus to take the residents to the beach is fine in theory but if it rains and there are 30 people on the beach – all 30 want to be away – how would the remainder be looked after?

 

The first bar/restaurant is now open on the site – this will take business away from the village, grocery deliveries are from Tesco/Sainsbury again not helping the village. There are two golf courses within 6 miles of the site.

 

The plans have stabling for 30 horses – our bridle ways have not been laid out for this amount of horses – or their manure. The pet hotel - as the dogs will have to be outside some of the time the barking will echo around the valleys, this is not the same as the cows mooing, a couple of donkeys having a neigh or the cockerels crowing.

 

Please consider the future of Portreath and ask the Council not to allow these plans.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Some of the Residents Against Gwel an Mor

 

 

The Editor,

 

I would like to take the opportunity to use the tram to give Portreath an update on our plans at Gwel an Mor and to comment on a few of the wild rumours that appear to be circulating.

 

Firstly the rumours, the planned dry ski slope will not be swooping down into the village as someone complained to me recently, for anyone that saw our plans when we revealed them at the Consultation weekend you would have seen clearly that the slope is nestled into a small valley in one of the grazing fields of the farm, in fact we do not believe its possible to view the slope from any where in the village.

 

The second rumour I heard was that we planned "hundreds of holiday homes" on the site. Firstly this is not the case our plans are for sixty in total and I really can't see why commercially we would want more, we believe that with our planned activities that this number of lodges will still keep the peaceful and spacious feel our first customers have all approved of so much.

 

We have worked very hard with Kerrier planning on various research and consultancy reports dealing with everything from Bats, Badgers and Owls, Woodland and Nature through to Traffic and Highways all of which have come back in support of our plans and ideas. Yes there are objectors, maybe some of whom are starting these rumours, there are some that regard us as competition and of course some genuine people concerned quite rightly for their village, but we have also collected 700 signatures, letters and notices supporting our plans from the local community.

 

Please let me assure you all, we intend to build a business that Portreath will be proud of, the Conference centre, Golf, Equestrian Centre and other activities are necessary to build a business that will provide all year round income and in doing so would also provide all year round jobs, we have very few bookings for November, and January, a conference centre would change this dramatically.

 

As ever If any of you wish to discuss our plans or meet me personally I am happy to arrange this if you call Gwel an Mor on 01209 842354 our staff will arrange it.

 

Kind regards,

 

 

 

 

Bill Haslam

Gwel an Mor

PHOTOGRAPHS AND ARTEFACTS EVOKE BYGONE AGE

 

Memories were jogged as Portreath turned back the clock to mark its industrial heritage.Villagers searched their homes and dusted off hundreds of pictures and artefacts from a bygone age as part of a celebration of the mineral tramways dotted around former mining communities.
The memorabilia was displayed at Millennium Hall, Portreath, during a special three-day exhibition that ended on Sunday.
While several of the old photographs evoked an era when the harbour was packed with sailing ships, one conjured up memories of a familiar sight during the late mining years.
Taken in the 1950s, it captured the Isleman, the last Portreath boat to sail out of the harbour with stocks of tin and copper.
At the weekend, its former captain, Gordon Greenslade, now in his mid-90s, attended the exhibition to remember his time on the Bain-owned vessel.
Groups including King Edward Mine and the Trevithick Society lent various items to the parish council, which ran the display and a festival of other events.
The exhibition also featured 150-year-old canon balls that once formed part of the village's armoury against invaders at its former gun battery.
They were discovered by Robert Hamer after he bought Battery House, the turreted, hill-top property that overlooks Gull Rock out at sea.
Doug Coates, one of the festival's organisers, said one collection of old photographs had certainly got tongues wagging.
Mr Coates said: "Kate Shaw's father, John Martin, had collected pictures of the characters and people of Portreath - and they created a huge amount of interest. Former and present residents of the villages were fascinated."
The appeal for photographic slices of village history first went out 12 months ago, with the final two pictures donated on the opening day of the exhibition.
In the run-up to the event, Portreath staged a series of mining demonstrations and workshops, including two run by West Briton photographer Colin Higgs.
Mr Coates said he and his fellow organisers were delighted to have seen up to 400 visitors at the three-day exhibition. "The village has given us absolutely tremendous cooperation. We now have World Heritage status which is a boost for tourism. This was a fantastic way of getting the story over."

LIFE-SAVERS THROW WEIGHT BEHIND £28M EXPANSION

09:00 - 16 August 2007

Portreath's biggest club is throwing its support behind £28 million plans to expand a holiday village.As planners prepare to determine the proposals for Gwel an Mor, surf life-savers said they believed the project would boost fortunes for the holiday village.
The planning application earmarks a dry ski slope, a major new conference facility, a nine-hole golf course, an equestrian centre and more holiday lodges.
Bill Haslam, who owns Gwel an Mor, joked that a few local opponents had described the proposed development as "hell and more" when the master plan was unveiled earlier this year.
Now Portreath Surf Life Saving Club has countered the concerns by formally writing to Kerrier Council in favour of the scheme, with chairman Rob Phillips collecting supporting signatures from the club's 300-plus members.
"We like to think we are as much at the heart of the Portreath community as anybody and we are absolutely convinced that the opponents are a very small number indeed," said Mr Phillips.
"I cannot recall speaking to anyone who is actually against it.
"We have studied this scheme very closely and have had extensive talks with Bill Haslam and we feel certain that it will be a major boost for the area in so many ways.
"The range and quality of the facilities proposed are way beyond whatever we are likely to have proposed for Portreath by anyone else, and I would say 95% of the village is right behind it.
"We are a fast developing club and we are very confident that we can continue to grow in tandem with Gwel an Mor."
Mr Phillips said residents of the holiday village would soon be able to log on to scenes of the beach as part of a web-cam initiative that aims to promote Portreath on the Internet.
Mr Haslam says his development would create up to 120 new jobs and provide a £3 million boost for the local economy.
The first phase of Gwel an Mor, including 28 holiday lodges and club house, opened last year. A further 32 lodges are being built.
In June, Portreath Parish Council supported the latest expansion proposals, subject to various conditions.
At its meeting, a handful of local residents said they believed the planned development would blight the appearance of the village.
Mr Haslam said: "I am hoping for early planning approval so that we can start work on the project by the end of the year and be up and running by 2010. It involves a range of all-year-round facilities that will offer something for everyone - with a tremendous boost to the local community and its economy."
The plans are expected to be considered by Kerrier Council next month.

The Retreat for sale!

High levels of interest are expected in a cafe in a sought-after Cornish beachside village.The Retreat Cafe in Portreath occupies a detached property which has been subject to high level investments and improvements throughout the vendor's ownership.

From the front a customer entrance leads into a cafe area offering 34 covers with breathtaking sea views.

An archway leads to a further cafe area for 44 covers, toilet facilities and office space.

To the side of the café is a doorway leading into a recently fitted commercial kitchen.

The cafe also offers a further 32 covers outside and provides a fish and chip take-away service.

Above the business is a two-bedroom flat which has an allocated parking space.

The vendors have owned and operated the business since 2004 and now wish to move back to Australia.

They have run it as a husband and wife team with the assistance of 25 casual part-time staff.

The business is seasonal, operating from March to November Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm and Saturday to Sundays 8.30am to 7pm, with increased opening hours during the summer peak season.

There is a premises license in place which entitles the owners to serve alcohol from noon to midnight, seven days a week.

The business is held on a 999-year lease providing a peppercorn rent to the freeholder. We are advised that the current net turnover is in order of £190,000 with a gross profit of 61 per cent.

The ground floor lock-up is being offered on a 999-year lease with a peppercorn rent for £425,000 or the freehold at £655,000.

Michael Fredriksson, head of retail department at Peninsula Commercial, said: "We expect high levels of interest, particularly from someone who is looking for a seasonal business in a stunning location."

For further details contact Peninsula Commercial on 01392 848484 or visit www.peninsulacommercial.co.uk

DISPLAYS CAPTURE FLORAL SPIRIT OF FAVOURITE HYMNS

Eleven stunning floral displays captivated visitors to a flower festival at Bridge Chapel at the weekend.The displays were provided by churches, organisations and individuals from across the Redruth district based on the theme of favourite hymns.

The exhibits included For the Beauty of the Earth, by Treleigh Floral Art Club; Morning has Broken, by Four Lanes United Methodist Church; All Things Bright and Beautiful, by Paynter's Lane End Methodist Church; and the centrepiece of the festival, Think of a World Without any Flowers, by Bridge Chapel.

The opening ceremony on Friday morning included a musical performance by children from Portreath School who played instruments and sang.

The musical theme continued throughout the weekend with local organists playing sympathetic background music as visitors admired the displays.

The flowers provided a perfect backdrop for a concert on Saturday evening by Celtic Voices, followed on Sunday evening by a Songs of Praise.

The Rev Haley Moore, the superintendent minister, said that as intoxicating as the sights, smells and sounds of the festival had been, she hoped they had not diverted attention away from the true purpose of the weekend - to raise money for the Persecuted Church, those who pay a heavy price for their continued faithfulness to Christianity around the world.

She said: "When we gather together for worship and fellowship we take so much for granted, such as our freedom of speech and the ease with which we are able to talk about Jesus Christ in our families and communities.

"However, for many Christians such activities hold many risks and dangers and discipleship is extremely costly.

"For some this includes the threat of imprisonment, of torture and of threats to their families.

"Hopefully people came in and enjoyed all these beautiful flowers, but also left aware of the challenges that face Christians around the world."

The Rev Haley paid tribute to the Bridge congregation: "They are only a small church community, but they have a wonderful church family here.

"This festival was a big task for them, and they've excelled themselves."

Flood Action

The Environment Agency has announced plans to carry out work in Portreath to reduce the risk of flooding.The agency will fit a screen to stop debris and monitor the flow upstream and downstream, linked to its centre in Bodmin, so staff can get an early warning when there is a problem.

CHEMICAL ALERT AT DEFENCE SITE

EXCLUSIVE: ANDY GREENWOOD CHIEF REPORTER

11:00 - 29 May 2007
A chemical weapons scare was sparked at a former nerve agent factory when a digger driver accidentally unearthed equipment used to produce mustard gas.It has raised fears there could be potentially dangerous substances on other sites in the area, which might not appear on any maps, prompting calls for a full survey to identify potentially contaminated land and to restore public trust.

The discovery at the former Chemical Defence Establishment at Nancekuke, near Redruth in Cornwall - revealed publicly for the first time today - happened last year as contractors investigated a shaft thought to lead to one of five known dump sites.

Tons of equipment and plant from the factory, which manufactured 20 tons of the deadly nerve agent sarin between 1954 and 1956, was buried after the facility was closed in 1977.

Its chemical weapons were either treated and disposed of on site or transported to Porton Down in Wiltshire.

But the material unearthed by accident - thought to be reaction vessels used in the production of chemical weapon agents - had not been mapped, so nobody was aware of its exact whereabouts.

Julia Goldsworthy, Liberal Democrat MP for Falmouth and Camborne, said she would be writing to the MoD to demand a full explanation of the incident to restore public trust. Ms Goldsworthy added: "This is a potentially serious breach of trust with the public as well as a serious breach of safety. It seems to indicate there could be potentially dangerous substances on the sites other than those identified in the decontamination programme.

"A complete and full survey of the site is the only thing to restore public confidence that the decontamination works are comprehensive and can be trusted. If this does not happen, members of the public will justifiably be very cynical about exactly what work has been done and the safety of the site overall."

The incident happened at Nancekuke, now known as RAF Portreath, last July but was not made public. It has now come to light after documents were released to the Western Morning News under the Freedom of Information Act.

An official report into what went wrong said there were "clear shortcomings with the implementation of procedures put in place". It also said that the finds "question the completeness of the 1980 Nancekuke closure report in defining where all of the former CDE Nancekuke wastes are buried" - a document which had previously been relied upon.

Dr Paul Johnston, from the Greenpeace Research Laboratories at Exeter University, said he was concerned but not surprised by the unexpected find.

"We have seen this time and again at MoD sites that are being cleaned up," he said. "Generally speaking, some event has taken place that people want to draw a veil over, or was illegal, or was officially sanctioned but never recorded.

"Mustard has been found to remain hazardous in soil or water for a very, very long time. Unbreached weapons can be very, very dangerous. Considering the reactions they were carrying out and the chemistry they were performing and the huge volume of waste they created, I'm surprised the situation isn't far worse."

An official report into the incident said the equipment was "almost certainly" from Sutton Oak, a chemical warfare plant at St Helens, Merseyside, which was closed when Nancekuke was established in the early1950s.

The site was involved in the manufacture of Lewisite - a chemical warfare agent developed in 1918 but too late for use in the First World War. It is a powerful irritant which immediately damages the skin, eyes, and lungs.

Its laboratory equipment was decontaminated and transported to the Cornwall base where it was dumped.

When it was uncovered, the digger driver was ordered to remain in his cab and remain upwind. Specialists from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) were called in test for chemicals. None was found.

The report said: "The incident is obviously of serious concern to us and our own internal inquiry will result to changes in future practice."

The report, by Enviros Consulting, concluded there were "no immediate concerns" because there were no traces of chemicals found and it appeared correct disposal policies had been followed.

ADA SPELLS OUT HER 100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

It was a birthday party that spelled a celebration for Scrabble enthusiast Ada Gregory.The resident of Harbour House in Portreath marked her century with a special get-together for her family and friends.

Ada, born in Leicestershire and one of eight children, moved to Cornwall in the 1960s and settled into her home at Bridge Moor.

Over the next few decades she threw herself into village life, becoming an active member of St Mary's Church and a keen member of the choir. She moved into Harbour House two years ago.

She has two surviving sons, eight grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

"Her interests include reading and she loves a good game of Scrabble," said her granddaughter Sandra Hogan.

QUALIFIED WELCOME FOR HOLIDAY ATTRACTION

A controversial plan for a major holiday attraction at Portreath has been given a cautious welcome by the parish council.Landfish Consultants Ltd has applied to redevelop land at Feadon Farm at the top of Tregea Hill.

It wants to build 60 new holiday lodges as part of the proposal, which the company claims could create up to 120 new jobs.

The £25 million plan also include a dry ski slope, a nine-hole golf course and an equestrian centre.

A handful of members of the Feadon Residents Association expressed their concerns about the attraction project at Monday's meeting of the parish council.

Their spokesman, Marj Rowland, said the proposal would have an adverse effect on people living close by and would change the character of Portreath.

She highlighted fears of light and noise pollution, and the movements of extra cars, horse boxes and service lorries, at what was already a dangerous junction.

She said: "We are concerned about the noise from the development.

"For example, the restaurant and bar may be open until the early hours of the morning; dogs may be barking in the pet hotel; and the planned equestrian centre is a large one, so we may have horses going past several times a day."

Mrs Rowland said residents had already endured three years of construction work on the site, with mud, dust and noise, and "the nuisance of foreign workers housed in mobile homes on an adjacent field."

She added: "We feel that the tranquil character of Feadon will be changed by this development, and that the true impact it will have on Portreath has not been realised.

"The whole identity of the village will change."

She stressed that if the proposal was to go ahead, a separate access should be built.

Developer Bill Haslem told the council that his company had held a public consultation event and had tried very hard to engage the public in its proposals.

Some changes had been made as a result of residents' comments.

It had received 200 letters of support for its plans, including 75 from the residents of Portreath.

The company agreed that a new entrance to the site was needed as part of the proposal, but County Highways had disagreed.

Cllr Chris Watts said that in principle he did not have a problem with the plan but added: "There is a problem that it's not in the village envelope; there are a number of areas that could do with more shielding to protect residents; and I think the issue of the entrance really needs addressing.

"Potentially, it would be a huge development and a big feather in our cap."

Cllr Doris Butler, who lives close to the site, feared the noise from hundreds of holiday makers using the ski slope, the parks facilities, and riding horses.

"It will disrupt and spoil the peace and tranquillity of Portreath," she said.

Council members voted to support the principle of development but will ask Kerrier to impose conditions that will protect the amenity of neighbouring residents and that will require the company to make improvements to the entrance to the site.

WAVE HUB 'WILL NOT SPOIL SURF IN NEWQUAY'

Newquay's famous surf will not be spoiled by the proposed 'Wave Hub' at Hayle, it was claimed this week.Concerns had been raised that the device - which generates electricity from wave power - would damage the quality of surf along the whole of the north coast.

But the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) said Newquay would not be affected even if other beaches further down the coast saw a drop in swell.

A new report - commissioned by the SWRDA and the British Surfing Association and published by oceanographer Dr Kerry Black - into the potential impact of the hub on Cornish surfing states that in a worst case scenario, some north coast beaches could see up to a 30% reduction in wave height.

But this week Nick Harrington, who commissioned the report, said that Newquay would not be affected because it is too far along the coast. "The expectation is that there will be no impact at all in Newquay," he said.

"The headline figure was 30%, but we are confident in saying in Newquay it's as near to zero as possible."

Mr Harrington said that beaches at St Agnes, Perranporth and Portreath are most likely to be affected. But even at these beaches, the reduction in swell would probably never exceed 13%, he said.

"The headline figure of 30% would only apply if 100% of the wave was absorbed by the Wave Hub," he said. "In order for that to happen, you would need something the size of Lundy Island out there.

"In practice the maximum reduction we would ever expect to see is around 13%. And more likely, it would be around 6%, which is the figure cited in Dr Black's report."

The report, Review of Wave Hub Technical Studies: Impacts on Inshore Surfing Beaches, was welcomed by campaign group Surfers Against Sewage.

Campaigns officer Andy Cummins said: "Dr Kerry Black's review is good news for surfers, for the Wave Hub and for the global fight against climate change."

If it receives planning permission, the Wave Hub would be the first device of its type in the world, providing up to 20MW of electricity to the national grid.

PUPILS TO LEARN BASICS OF SPORT

Seventy primary school children will descend on Pool Business and Enterprise College today (May 10) for a multi-skills sports festival.The activities will be led by Danielle Greenaway, Martina Trethowan, Nathan Williams and Tyrone Daniel who are year 10 students from Pool School.

They are taking part in TOP Link, which allows young people, aged 14 to 16, to develop their leadership skills by planning and organising sports festivals for their local primary schools.

The Pool students are currently completing the Sports Leader Award, which is tutored by sports coach Julian Hosking.

Today's festival, which includes pupils from Portreath, Illogan, Pencoys, Treloweth and Roskear primary schools, will have a multi-skills theme.

This focuses on the ABCs of sport (agility, balance, co-ordination) which are known as fundamental movement skills.

It will also include generic sports skills such as throwing, catching, accuracy, balance and reactions.

Mr Hosking said: "These are key skills in the children's development and participation in sports activity.

"It should be another fun-packed afternoon for them and huge credit should go to all sports leaders involved for their enthusiasm and dedication throughout the course."

Parish Tram Issue 16

BEAT-LINES

I apologise for the absence of my article in the last edition – I did write it but due to a breakdown in modern communication methods it failed to get to the publishers on time!!

I have recently received a copy of the proposals from the County Council regarding the development of the Square area. The plans look very exciting and offer the opportunity for major changes to the village layout, this I believe, can only be beneficial for residents and visitors alike. I am aware however that not everyone likes change and may become apprehensive about it. You may think that village improvements such as those planned for Portreath really have nothing to do with the police. The truth is, that whilst we are not a lead agency on such projects it is necessary for us to have an input. We have police officers (known as Architectural Liaison Officers or ALO’s) who are experts on ‘designing out’ crime. The ALO will make observations and recommendations at the planning stages of new developments to try and minimise problems of crime and anti social behaviour that may occur due to the design of a development. An example of designing out crime on a housing estate would be to ensure that there are no concealed or blind alleyways particularly at the rear of houses.

In addition to the recommendations of the ALO all agencies have a duty to consider what impact their actions have on crime and anti-social behaviour. As an example, in Portreath, I believe that it is particularly important to carefully consider the location of new seating etc. to ensure that they remain as a facility for people to enjoy as opposed to becoming the preferred venue for alcohol fuelled anti-social groups to meet. Obviously if this became the case particularly near residential properties, then people will justifiably have cause to complain. If you have any such concerns about the new proposals I will be happy to discuss these with you and pass on any relevant observations to the appropriate authority.

It is with regret that I have to inform you that PCSO Vikki White, whom many of you will have seen and met over the last six months has moved on to pastures new and no longer covers this area. I have made strong representations to ‘the powers that be’ that she is replaced as soon as possible. I am pleased to be able to report that I have been given the name of her replacement although we will have to wait for him to complete his initial training prior to seeing him out and about on patrol.

Finally I would like to advise you of a new way to have any concerns that you may have about your community heard and dealt with. I have the task of setting up a Partners and Communities Together (P.A.C.T) panel within area. The panel will comprise of representatives from a number of different agencies and groups with the objective of resolving the top three most important issues identified by the community. Whilst this is a very brief summary of what the PACT process is all about you can see that it will be driven by the what the community wants – so it is up to you to attend the meeting and tell the panel what concerns you the most!! (It is worth noting that this is not a forum just to air your concerns about policing – it is your opportunity to raise issues about anything in your community even if it has nothing at all to do with the police!!) - The details of the first meeting have still to be finalised but will be published – I look forward to seeing you there!!


PORTREATH PARISH COUNCIL



Greenfield Gardens

As you will be aware from other reports in this issue, the seats and litter bins purchased by the Parish Council have now been installed in Greenfield Gardens and the bulk of the improvements have been completed.

Sunnyvale Road

Following representations to the County Council work has now been carried out to stabilise the
Highway at the southern end of Sunnyvale Road where slippage had occurred. A fence has also been erected along this repaired area.

Beach Road

Preliminary plans have been prepared by the County Council for a new kerb line along Beach Road which will slightly narrow the width of this road but delineated parking areas will be retained.
It is also proposed that an additional ‘bus shelter be provided around the area of The Square and that the existing shelter be upgraded. Members have requested that these shelters should be of the ‘up and over’ clear sided type and that no seating should be provided in an effort to prevent the shelters being utilised as gathering places for vandals.

Annual Parish Meeting

The Annual Parish meeting of this Council will be held in The Institute commencing at 7:00 p.m. on
Monday, 30th April when all Parish organisations will be invited to attend and present a report .
This will be the last meeting of the existing council as elections will be held on 3rd May.





Greenfield Gardens

As you will be aware from other reports in this issue, the seats and litter bins purchased by the Parish Council have now been installed in Greenfield Gardens and the bulk of the improvements have been completed.

Sunnyvale Road

Following representations to the County Council work has now been carried out to stabilise the
Highway at the southern end of Sunnyvale Road where slippage had occurred. A fence has also been erected along this repaired area.

Beach Road

Preliminary plans have been prepared by the County Council for a new kerb line along Beach Road which will slightly narrow the width of this road but delineated parking areas will be retained.
It is also proposed that an additional ‘bus shelter be provided around the area of The Square and that the existing shelter be upgraded. Members have requested that these shelters should be of the ‘up and over’ clear sided type and that no seating should be provided in an effort to prevent the shelters being utilised as gathering places for vandals.

Annual Parish Meeting

The Annual Parish meeting of this Council will be held in The Institute commencing at 7:00 p.m. on
Monday, 30th April when all Parish organisations will be invited to attend and present a report .
This will be the last meeting of the existing council as elections will be held on 3rd May.


Seating in Greenfield Gardens

With the ordering and delivery of three stainless steel benches and two stainless steel litter bins, the Parish Council have now finished their part in the regeneration of Greenfield gardens. The council is delighted with the end result and are pleased to see the increased use already apparent in the gardens. The spring bulbs that were planted by the primary school children are now coming through and looking good, as are the many other plants that have been kindly donated by local residents.

Our only disappointment was the necessary installation of Western Power’s transformer station, in which neither the Parish Council or the PIC had any say. Its not as bad as it could have been - at least its green and Western Power have paid for some composting bins and we are hopeful they will fund a couple of specimen trees.

Portreath Improvements Committee are now in control of the gardens and through the efforts of their sub-committee, are improving the gardens even further.

Many thanks to all those involved in the project, it has been a real team effort from members of the parish council, members of the PIC, local residents and of course the cooperation of Kerrier District Council.

Chris Watts


Greenfield Garden update

Spring has arrived at the gardens , the daffodils look great and I
really hope all the children at Portreath school have been to see the
fruits of their labours. The seats have arrived and are waiting to be
installed, I have been told this will be happening mid-march, so
fingers crossed. The new signs are up and look good. I am hoping to
put up another notice board which will tell you what is happening in
the park, when the gardener will be working, when the grand opening
will be, and thanking people for their help. A big thank you to Dee
Beauchamp for three lovely plants for the park, they have fitted in
very well.

Please don’t forget this is a community garden for the village and
your ideas and help are important to make this park succeed. Apart
from the gardener nobody gets paid to be involved in this garden and
should you see any damage being caused please act on it. Remember
this is our park and we must all try to keep it as we would like it
to be.

Sarah Clasper






£





Councillor White Retires

Councillor Ashton White will not be standing for the parish council election on May 3 this year. Mr. White has been a member of Portreath Parish Council since its inception on the 15 of April 1985.
He has been a very active member of the Council and been involved in many projects , organising as chairman in 1986 and 87 the clearance of the harbour precinct by way of local donations, turning the area from waste tip to the usable area we know today
He was heavily involved in the clear up after the flooding of the Portreath river during the early Nineties and the subsequent enquiry into the causes, and highlighted the division of responsibilities between Kerrier District Council and the Environment Agency at the root of the problem. This led to re- designation of the water course as a main river for which the Environment Agency became solely responsible. Further serious flooding has since been avoided.
He fostered good relations with RAF Portreath over many years taking a particular interest in the wildlife surveys of the RAF conservation group. These findings became particularly valuable at a later date when they were able to show the same healthy levels of flora and fauna after the closure of the chemical warfare units as there had been at the outset. Mr White was subsequently presented with a commemorative plaque by the commanding officer for services to the liaison work between the RAF and the community
He negotiated a local agreement with the developers of Harbour Court to allow the resiting of the granite horse trough memorial to Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, to a safer spot away from the busy forecourt of the shops in the square.
He has been chairman of the Council on four occasions , the most recent being 2003, which was the year of our public consultation regarding the village centre regeneration programme, which hopefully will see the start of work this year, for completion in 2008. Mr. White has also served as Chairman of the Regeneration Committee (a sub committee of the Parish Council) but it was a period he subsequently described as the most frustrating of his Parish Council service.
During the interview for this story Mr. White was at pains to pay tribute to Jean Oates the Parish Clerk , for the help and support she has given him throughout his years of service.
Councillor White will be greatly missed by the Parish Council , his local knowledge, leadership , sense of humour , sensible and pragmatic views on planning decisions and overall steadying influence will leave a gap hard to fill.


PORTREATH MILLENNIUM COMMUNITY HALL

Due to the retirement of both the Treasurer and Bookings Secretary, the Management Team of the Millennium Community Hall would like to hear from people who would be interested in helping to run / manage the Hall.

It has operated as a successful village Hall for a number of years, but the management team would like to see more people being involved, coming in with fresh ideas and perhaps taking it in a different direction. There are lots of opportunities for enthusiastic people to make a difference and to be involved in an important community project, and which will give those involved with the Hall many opportunities to meet people.

For more information you can contact me on 01209 843873 and I will be happy to have an informal chat, provide you with further information and put you in touch with other committee members.

The AGM will be held in May/June, when everyone is welcome to attend – public Notices will be put up on the Notice Boards in the village to advertise the date nearer the time.

Secretary


A HUGE THANK YOU to Douglas McClure, who provided the village with an amazing opportunity to enjoy an evening of classical guitar music, which was held at the Millennium Community Hall last November. With over a hundred tickets being sold, we had a wonderful evening, with Douglas providing a full programme of music.

Douglas had put in a tremendous amount of effort and practice and the excellent feedback received demonstrated his hard work was worth it.

Many people commented on how much they enjoyed the evening, the generous buffet and the wine, and that it was a great way to meet up with friends and family and have the opportunity to experience something very different in our own village.

Thank you !

Harbour News

A draft copy of the feasibility study has been received by the parish council and the harbour steering committee. It comprises of a sixty page report of fairly technical reading so I hope a brief summary of my view of the report will give an overall picture. The full report will be available soon.
The council was encouraged to see the feasibility study agree in principle that regenerating Portreath harbour is consistent with other similar programmes within Cornwall, and if successful would strengthen the local economy, diversify business and provide employment opportunities.
The proposals however would depend on the long term structural stability of the harbour itself and here the feasibility study has put forward some searching considerations. The engineers have concluded that significant repairs are needed to all parts of the harbour, but in particular to the finger pier, and the cost estimates are therefore much higher than initially perceived.
The study estimates the capital costs to be in the range £11.3m - £14.4m - this is three to four times higher than estimates put forward in the lottery grant bid.
Funding it seems could also be a problem, the Heritage lottery fund would possibly make a contribution to the structures in a historical context but would not fund capital costs for lock gates or new buildings. The new convergence fund which is set to take over from objective one funding needs to see proof of significant economic benefit, so even if the marina and planned heritage centre were to go ahead, the employment of five or six people would probably not be enough to qualify.
The report lists a number of risks, top of the list comes technical and engineering issues and costs, including extensive repairs that are required to the finger pier and the harbour walls in the middle and inner harbour.
Technically, all these risks can be overcome at high cost but funding may not be available.

The report goes on to warn that any organisation or group that takes on such a financial risk could depend on individuals excepting personal liability and therefore this is another risk that no organisation or group could or would take responsibility for the scheme.
In conclusion the report asks whether ownership needs to be transferred from Kerrier District Council. A local group working closely with Kerrier to progress individual key projects within the harbour would be perhaps the way forward. This would of course depend on Kerrier agreeing to this approach.
This is a brief description of the draft feasibility study and there are many and varied interpretations that can be drawn from it, but overall the parish council believe that the proposed project cannot be taken into community ownership at this stage.
There are many meetings ahead with Kerrier District Council to find a way forward with our harbour. If nothing else this study has shown that the harbour needs urgent attention to its structure and ongoing maintenance.
This is not the end of the project but perhaps the beginning of a new direction.
Chris Watts

Gwel-An-Mor

A holiday village at Portreath is looking to create 120 jobs as part of a £25 million expansion plan that features a dry ski slope and a nine-hole golf course.Gwel an Mor announced this week that it was also aiming to build an equestrian centre and regenerate 50 acres of agricultural land.

This would pave for the way for organic farm produce to be grown for two new restaurants and a farm shop that are planned for the village at Tregea Hill.

Leaders of the scheme say the proposed development would inject more than £3 million a year into the local economy, according to research by tourism chiefs.

The ambitious plans, which also include a conference centre, fishing lakes and a spa, follow a deal struck with Duchy College for the sale of the adjacent Feadon Farm to Gwel an Mor, adding 140 acres to the site.

The holiday village says it aims to continue the college's animal care facilities, making them and all the planned leisure pursuits available to the community "at preferential rates wherever possible".

The proposed equestrian centre would have stabling for 30 horses while the state-of-the-art conference facility would have seating for more than 200 people.

The £5 million first phase of Gwel an Mor opened last year on the former Sunlands site with 28 luxury holiday lodges, a gym, swimming pool and spa pool plus a children's adventure playground, croquet lawn and putting green.

A further 32 lodges are being built at the holiday village.

Damian Hall, its general manager, stressed that in order to compete with other holiday destinations in Europe and around the world, Cornwall "must offer much more".

He said: "Our plans will deliver such a wide-ranging mix of activities and high standard of accommodation.

"Allied to the natural beauty of the area and the traditional friendliness of the Cornish, holiday-makers will have a real decision to make - whether they need to travel abroad."

A consultation on the scheme ended at the weekend with an open day for the public and a meeting of local business people.

Nigel Tipple, chief executive of CPR Regeneration and a guest at the event, said: "This is an exciting development, which complements the activity promoted within the Camborne, Pool and Redruth area. These proposals demonstrate the confidence of the private sector to invest in the area, create employment and strengthen the overall leisure offer."

Barbara Ellenbroek, of the Federation of Small Businesses and CPR Regeneration board, said: "I am very impressed with this development, which will enhance the whole Camborne, Pool and Redruth area. The combination of good quality accommodation and all-year-round leisure facilities is just what we need."

Gwel an Mor said a planning application would be submitted shortly.

HOLIDAY VILLAGE'S EXPANSION PLANS COULD CREATE 120 JOBS

BURGLARIES TAKE SHINE OFF CRIME STATISTICS

clipped from www.westbriton.co.uk

A spate of burglaries took the gloss off the crime statistics for Portreath in December and January.Of the 16 incidents recorded, eight were burglaries, of which five were to dwellings.

In his report to the parish council on Monday evening, PC Tim Roberts said burglary was an unusual crime in the village.

He added: "If it wasn't for this spate of burglaries, the crime statistics would be quite low."

He asked residents to take extra care with their security, particularly to lock doors and close windows. Anyone leaving their home for a long period should make arrangements to hide tell-tale signs like piles of mail and newspapers on the floor inside the front door.

He appealed for vigilance and asked anyone who saw or had seen anything suspicious to contact the police without delay.

AWARDS FOR COASTGUARD 'BACKBONE'

Stalwart members of the Portreath coastguard team were handed special
awards to mark their long and loyal service.Graham May, aged 56, and
Mike Prowton, 62, were feted at a presentation ceremony at the
Portreath Arms Hotel.

Their boss, Mark Roberts, said both men had dedicated many years of their
lives to rescuing those who found themselves in danger along the
coastline.



"These two have been the backbone of the team," said
Mr Roberts, who heads the Portreath coastguard volunteers. "It's the
likes of them who turn out day and night in all weathers."

Mr May, who received a 20-year long-service award, said he had relished
the challenges he had faced over the past two decades. "Because I was
involved in surf lifesaving, this was another avenue of rescue and I
was delighted to have been asked to become a member of the team," he
said.

Mr May, who lives in the village, said he and his
colleagues had been inspired by the leadership skills of Mark Roberts
and his father, Alan, who was awarded the MBE for his coastguard role.



He
added: "We've always found a way of getting round any problem that we
might encounter in a rescue - and getting round it safely.



"Everything we do, we do as a team. We train as a team and we work as a team."

Mr Prowton, who earlier stepped down from the cliff rescue team, was given
a special award to recognise his 23 years of service to the coastguards.



He signed up as a volunteer while running a fish and chip shop in his home village of Portreath.



"We all get on very well and it is the camaraderie between the team that has probably been the highlight for me," he said.



"I had previously been awarded my 20-year service award and I wasn't expecting this at all.



"When I received the award, it was a mixture of shock, surprise and pleasure."



Mr
May and Mr Prowton paid tribute to the close working relationship the
Portreath coastguard team had forged with agencies including police,
the fire and ambulance services and 771 Squadron at RNAS Culdrose,
Helston.








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