Adapting to coastal erosion at Godrevy

Frequently asked questions

• Why is the National Trust looking to make changes at Godrevy?

  The access road to the headland is threatened by coastal erosion. Specialist surveys tell us we have just a few years before it may become unsuitable for vehicle use, at which point the current parking fields will no longer be accessible by car. We have been developing plans over a number of years to try to ensure we can maintain parking close to the headland with a similar capacity to what we have now.

• What are the changes included in your pre-application planning proposal?

  Put simply we are looking to re-route the access road further inland and relocate the car parking to one of the farm fields to ensure we can maintain access to Godrevy headland for generations to come.

  At the same time, we are looking to improve visitor facilities by adding more accessible parking spaces, fully accessible Changing Place toilet/changing room facilities and accessible walking and wheelchair/tramper routes which will mean that all visitors, including those with mobility issues, will have better access across much of the headland.

  The proposed new car park location will also provide improved all-weather parking, meaning less congestion during the winter and wet periods of the summer.

  More detailed information can be found by searching reference PA23/01468/PREAPP on the Cornwall Council Planning Portal.

• What are the timescales for these plans?

  Once we have received the pre-application feedback we will begin to work up more detailed plans. If we gain approval and funding to proceed, we would like to start the building work in late 2024, going on into 2025.

• How long until the existing road fails?

  An assessment of the erosion was carried out by Camborne School of Mines in 2010, and at that point the lifespan was estimated at 5 – 20 years. So, we are now looking at a maximum of around five years, with a possibility of it failing imminently. The rates of recession predicted in 2010 have been borne out on the ground with further surveys.

• Have you considered building sea defences and/or re-enforcing the cliffs?

  Sea defences in places like Godrevy have been shown to be extremely expensive and ineffective over a long period of time. As we continue to see increased pressure from the impact of climate change, rising sea levels and more extreme weather events we need to find ways to adapt at Godrevy, to ensure we can maintain access to the much-loved section of the Cornish coastline for generations to come.  

• Why can’t you just re-route the road and leave the parking areas where they are?

  There are several reasons why we have settled on a plan to relocate the parking area when we re-route the road:

  • The final section of road, close to the bend near the car park fields, has been identified as one of the areas most at risk of erosion. We could re-route the road and find that vehicle parking on the headland is lost anyway in a relatively short period of time. Our current plans ensure money is spent wisely, securing access to this area for years to come.
  • The headland fields are designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This is important because, in addition to the damage to the archaeological features caused by an increasing number of vehicles, it restricts the management we can undertake to maintain them as a viable leisure area into the future (e.g improving drainage, re-seeding etc).
  • There is a real risk that we would not be able to obtain planning permission for a new road that leads to the existing parking location, given the very prominent position within the landscape and high level of conservation designations of the area.
  • We are facing a noticeable increase in the number of days when the fields have to be closed over the summer due to unpredictable weather patterns and the deteriorating condition of the fields. If we rely on the existing fields for parking we are likely to find the parking areas closed for more significant periods of the season, in addition to the winter closed season, meaning much reduced access.

• What are the benefits of moving the parking area closer to the farm?

  There are significant benefits to relocating the car park from the current location:

  • It provides a long-term solution, guaranteeing parking and close access to the headland for generations to come.
  • We can provide improved all-weather parking, meaning less congestion during the winter and wet periods of the summer.
  • We can incorporate better facilities, including accessible toilets and changing places, as well as more accessible onward routes for the wider area.
  • It reduces the impact on the landscape and enables better conservation of the area for both archaeology and wildlife.

   

• I can’t walk very far and have always enjoyed views whilst sat in my car. Will I still be able to do this?

  Our plans are driven by a strong desire to maintain vehicle access and parking as close to the headland as possible. We have tried to get the best outcome to meet the needs of all our visitors, including those with mobility issues. Views from the proposed new parking area will not be as expansive as they are from the current headland car park, but they’ll still offer fine sea views over St Ives Bay, over the beach and out to sea.

  In addition, our proposal includes more accessible parking spaces, fully accessible Changing Place toilet/changing room facilities and accessible walking and wheelchair/tramper routes, which mean that all visitors, including those with mobility issues, will have better access across much of the headland.

  Importantly a proportion of the new parking area will be open through-out the year, so the views can be enjoyed all year round.

• Will I still be able to enjoy the headland fields?

  Yes, the headland fields will remain accessible for visitors to enjoy. There’ll still be space to play, go for a walk, have a picnic, sit and admire the view.

• Will members of the public have an opportunity to comments on the plans?

  Yes, we will hold a public consultation prior to a full planning application being submitted later this year. Please keep an eye on our website for updates. Members of the public will also be able to provide comments to the Local Planning Authority via the council’s planning portal when an application is submitted.

• Will there still be car parking staff on-site?

  The Trust aims to ensure that visitors get the most out of each visit, on-site staff will continue to welcome visitors, answer questions and offer guidance. Godrevy is, and will continue to be, a very busy site at peak times and the car park team are an integral part of managing the visitor flow.

• Will the existing café remain open?

  The existing café, which is Trust owned but privately managed, serves visitors very well and we have no plans change this.

• What are you planning to do with the farmhouse?

  The farmhouse could potentially offer visitors a great experience of being able to stay at Godrevy whilst providing vital income to support our conservation work. However, we have not made any firm decisions yet and we’ll continue to explore all potential options for the future use of the house.