The Beach represents one of the largest economic growth opportunities in the South West region.
The contemporary twist to the classic seaside resort complements the Regional Development Agency’s economic vision for the area in terms of boosting investment, promoting key industries and offering major employment opportunities.
A study conducted by management consultants KPMG calculates that the beach will contribute a total of £21 million annually to the local economy.
A report commissioned from Regeneris Consulting: Carlyon Bay, St Austell, Economic Case and Employment Benefits demonstrates how the scheme fits in with the economic strategies of the region.
The continued vulnerability of traditional industries has become all too clear in recent years, with thousands of redundancies announced and the £200 million project has much to offer in securing sustainable growth for the more deprived areas around St Austell.
Job creation and training opportunities will be just two facets of the development which will be a vital component of Cornwall’s tourism industry. The thousands of visitors each year would be a massive boost to the tourism and leisure business locally as well as providing a base for these benefits to spread out to the region more widely.
The Beach will be an important driver in the regeneration of St Austell and shaping its future by boosting both local incomes and the profile of the area.
Pressure will be taken off local housing stock by reducing the impact of people buying second homes in town and village communities in the area.
An additional revenue of around £600,000 from council tax paid by apartment owners will go to Restormel Borough Council.
Fact sheets
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“The Beach would be a flagship for Cornwall and a jewel in the crown for the St Austell area.
“The sooner construction can start, the sooner we’ll all have the chance to enjoy this much-needed landmark development which is so crucial to attract tourists and visitors to the area.
“We fully back this scheme, believe support for The Beach is substantial and that the majority of people believe it is essential to Cornwall’s sustainable economic future.”
Paul Scott, chairman of St Austell District Chamber of Commerce and Industry
“On behalf of the business community of Cornwall, I fully back this project as an exemplar in concept, design and functionality and a major boost to the needs of the changing local economy.
“In the present climate of large scale redundancies in the St Austell area, this project will help to set the course for the future and the redeployment and retraining of local people.
“I understand the expressions of concern by some but with the storm protection now reducing the risk to a 1 in 200 year chance, public access guaranteed, including disabled and family friendly access, together with a managed maintenance fund, these concerns have now been more than fully met.
“At a time when Cornwall is increasingly seen as a good place to relocate and do business, the delay with The Beach has raised doubts over our ability to take full advantage of the opportunities that are before us.”
David Brewer, Chairman of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce & Industry
“People do want a high quality development that can be open all year round with public access to the beach.
“This is a unique situation where you have a beach which is a brownfield site with existing planning permission that can be developed anyway. We should make the very best of it so we get the best for the economy, something that’s built on good sustainable grounds in terms of how its constructed environmentally and something that will add to the assets not only of Cornwall but for the region as well.
“There is no danger of this being used as a crowbar so every beach in Cornwall is developed on. Here we have the ugly eyesore of the Coliseum building and we should work together to moving this project forward.
“I’m sure it will be a huge success.”
Malcolm Bell, Chief Executive of South West Tourism
“We wholeheartedly support the application for the proposed sea defences. The revised plan provides for much better facilities and is backed by a significant maintenance fund to ensure that there is no burden on the local taxpayers.
“This sentiment is expressed on behalf of all sectors of the Town Partnership which reflects the public, private and voluntary sectors.”
Roger Preston, Chairman of The St Austell Town Partnership
“You would expect a project valued at £200 million would be welcomed with open arms. What a crying shame and what a terribly negative message to send to the outside world and to future potential investors in Cornwall.
“The current site is a disgrace and the sooner the project can get started again the better for all of us. The Beach will help to create a strong local community which can be more confident in promoting itself to the outside world and will offer high quality leisure facilities which can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
“Which sign do we put on the River Tamar on the way into Cornwall? Is it to be ‘Open for Business’ or ‘Retirement Home – Do Not Disturb’.”
James Staughton, Managing Director of St Austell Brewery
“Those opposing The Beach made the mistake of assuming they represented all the residents of Carlyon Bay …. But there were a considerable number of very local residents who were of the opinion that Ampersand’s plans were a step in the right direction.
“The area is run down… it is generally scruffy and a disgrace to our neighbourhood. We favour the development because it will increase the attraction not just to St Austell, but to Cornwall in general and will bring sorely needed employment opportunities to the area.”
Ray Pipe, local resident and Chairman of SAND (Support a New Development)
“It would either be a blind man or a fool who could not see the benefits that this project will bring to the whole area.”
Steve Hurst, St Austell Independent Traders
“In my experience, the majority of businesses in this area are lying down waiting to die due, in part, to the lack of vision of certain organisations who will go out of their way to hinder projects like this.”
Richard King, Institute of Directors and Federation of Small Businesses
"Tourism is, perhaps, the only thriving industry in the Duchy and accounts for one quarter of the County’s output; it supports around 250,000 jobs and brings £8 million a year into the local economy. Any development which increases the tourism accommodation sector has got to be good news and one of the sophistication of that proposed at The Beach will considerably enhance the upper end of the market.
“All the current evidence shows that Cornish tourism businesses need to develop a year-round trading base to survive, expand and encourage visitors to the county. If Cornwall is to maintain its position as a premier UK holiday destination, developments such as that proposed at Carlyon Bay must be approved to continue to attract visitors to the county in the face of competition from other areas of the UK and Europe.”
Colin Sharpe, Company Secretary, Flambards
“The Western Morning News has been a supporter of Ampersand and The Beach from the start. We understand some of the local concerns about building in an attractive coastal location but this part of Carlyon Bay had already been built on and now desperately needs improving.
“A top quality development that continues to allow local people access to the beach is the right way forward. In time, we are sure this development will go ahead and will prove as big an asset to Cornwall as the Eden Project and the Tate Gallery at St Ives – both controversial and ground-breaking in their time.”
Western Morning News
