CORNWALL Council’s cabinet member for environment and climate change has issued an update regarding a controversial project based in Bude.

Future Coast Bude has been at the centre of a number of conversations surrounding its work to help Bude ‘prepare for and adapt to the impacts of coastal change’. However, most recently the organisation has been at the heart of controversy regarding proposed changes to Crooklets car park.

These changes proposed the installation of permeable paving within the lower section of the Crooklets overflow car park, similar to that which was recently installed at Widemouth Bay.

However, Cornwall Council cabinet member Loic Rich, has announced that there will be a number of changes made to plans for Future Coast Bude.

Commenting on the matter, he said: “As cabinet member for environment and climate change at Cornwall Council I wanted to provide you with an update on the capital works proposed as part of the Future Coast Bude programme. It is clear that there is strong public opinion on this subject and following a review of the Future Coast Bude capital projects, a revised package of works has been agreed, as set out below, to ensure the projects can be delivered before the programme concludes in spring 2027.

“Future Coast Bude is funded through the Defra Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme (CTAP), which supports coastal communities to prepare for and adapt to the impacts of coastal change.

?Since the programme began, Future Coast Bude has delivered a wide range of projects to improve accessibility, increase understanding of coastal change and support long-term planning for Bude's coastline. This has included improving beach accessibility, trialling a seasonal Park and Ride, supporting coastal monitoring and research, engaging local young people and the wider community, developing educational resources, and creating a long-term Coastal Vision for Bude.

“Alongside this work, funding was allocated to deliver a number of capital projects aimed at improving the resilience of key coastal infrastructure and facilities.

“Earlier this year, a range of potential capital projects were developed with programme partners and shared with the community to help inform which proposals should be taken forward. Bude-Stratton Town Council subsequently considered those proposals relevant to its role as a landowner, leaseholder and asset manager, identifying the projects it wished to support for further development.”

Following community feedback, on August 6 key stakeholders - including Cornwall Council’s leader and the area’s MP - reviewed the capital programme.

As a result, stakeholders agreed that funding would be used to create a new modular toilet block at Summerleaze Car Park, near the Gig Shed, including accessible facilities and a Changing Places toilet, and a new modular toilet block within Crooklets main car park, close to the skate park, including accessible facilities and a Changing Places toilet.

Cllr Rich explained: “This location was identified as the community's preferred option through the engagement process and removes the need for the proposed permeable paving within the overflow car park.”

On top of this, a number of other projects were scrapped

“The following proposals will not proceed as part of the programme,” continued the councillor. “The installation of permeable paving within the lower section of the Crooklets overflow car park; reopening the former toilet block at Summerleaze, as there is insufficient time remaining to deliver all of the originally proposed works before the programme funding deadline; investment in relocating the most vulnerable sections of the coast path between Summerleaze and Crooklets.

“This revised approach ensures that the agreed capital projects can be delivered within the programme timescales. Any funding no longer required for these projects will be invested in supporting coastal adaptation in other coastal communities across Cornwall through the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme.”