Prince William's Duchy of Cornwall becomes pivotal in Cornish town's environmental battle

Nearly a thousand protesters held their latest protest meeting above Whipsiderry Beach on the outskirts of Newquay on April 1, as Prince William's Duchy of Cornwall becomes pivotal in the Cornish town's environmental battle.

The last un-commercialized beach in the town is reached by a precipitous cliff staircase down vertical cliffs.

A small development of seven holiday homes is to be built above the beach with permission for construction depending on major cliff stabilization directly at the base of the cliffs below the site.

Concreting and drilling for steel supporting rods to be inserted into the unstable cliff have been attempted.

The work involves lowering diggers and compressors directly to the beach and needed permission of the Duchy of Cornwall, which historically own the beach foreshore.

The cliffs affected are a breeding base for Fulmars and bats, which are both protected species.

As awareness grew in the town, a protest group was formed called Save Whipsiderry Cliffs by a local teacher, and also group spokesperson Andrew Robey (who can be seen on the megaphone) and Lyndsey Young.

Local protesters attended daily when work began and security staff was filmed manhandling and dragging peaceful protesters across the public beach.

After one week and in response to the escalating situation, The Duchy of Cornwall suspended the work license granted to Living Quarters Properties Ltd.

As of the first of April, the cliffs became protected by law from disturbance to protect the breeding of sea birds.

However, the Living Quarter Properties Ltd. have indicated their wish to resume cliff works on the first of September when the seasonal ban finishes.

To compound matters, a huge cliff collapse occurred directly where work had recently taken place on March 31, just the night before this protest.

Fulmars have returned to their nesting sites and will be safe for now.

However, The Duchy of Cornwall, with its own charter of environmental stewardship, finds itself in a very difficult position. The protest group is seeking legal representation to continue the fight.

Local protesters numbering near a thousand strong held their latest protest meeting above Whipsiderry beach on the outskirts of Newquay. The last un-commercialised beach in the town is reached by a precipitous cliff staircase down vertical cliffs. A small development of seven holiday homes is to be built above the beach with permission for construction dependant on major cliff stabilisation directly at the base of the cliffs below the site. Concreting and drilling for steel supporting rods to be inserted into the unstable cliff has been attempted. The work involves lowering diggers and compressors directly to the beach and needed permission of the Duchy of Cornwall who historically own the beach foreshore. The cliffs affected are a breeding base for Fulmars and bats which are both protected species. As awareness grew in the town a protest group was formed called Save Whipsiderry cliffs by a local teacher and also group spokes-person Andrew Robey (with loudhailer) and Lyndsey Young. Local protesters attended daily when work began and security staff were filmed manhandling and dragging peaceful protesters across the public beach. After one week and in response to the escalating situation The Duchy of Cornwall suspended the work license granted to Living quarters properties Ltd.
As from the first of April 2023 the cliffs became protected by law from disturbance to protect the breeding sea birds. However the Living Quarter properties Ltd have indicated their wish to resume cliff works on the first of September when the seasonal ban finishes. To compound matters a huge cliff collapse occurred directly where work had recently taken place on the 31st March 2023, just the night before this protest. Fulmars have returned to their nesting sites and will be safe for now. However The Duchy of Cornwall with its own charter of environmental stewardship finds itself in a very difficult position. The protest group is seeking legal representation to continue the fight.