Wednesday 22nd November

Another five supporters for The Beach scheme spoke out today to express their backing for the “landmark development”.

Mr Paul Scott, chairman of St Austell Chamber of Commerce, said he had the unanimous support of his members to speak on behalf of the development which could be the “jewell in the crown” for the area.

“ Eden put us on the map but we need more flagships for Cornwall and The Beach would be one of them,” he said.

“Don’t be dissuaded by a few vocal individuals – we believe the support for The Beach is substantial and that the majority of people believe it is essential to Cornwall’s sustainable economic future.

“In The Beach, we have projected that 400 to 500 permanent jobs can be provided as well as hundreds of jobs during construction as well as an additional training for students from St Austell College.

“But we are having this project delayed by an inquiry into an improvement to a sea defence. An improvement that will not only be beneficial to the development but to anyone who uses the beach and its facilities. Along with this, a guaranteed public access through a legal agreement which is not in the original planning permission as well as a £3 million fund to protect the local taxpayers plus better access for the elderly, familes and the disabled.

“The sooner something is sorted 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.

“May we, the Chamber of St Austell, once again take this opportunity to put our full support behind the Carlyon Bay scheme in as much as the jobs it will create and the money it will put into the economy of St Austell.

So, on behalf of the people, traders and businesses in St Austell, we ask please to allow this proposal to go forward,” he said.

Richard King, a local resident and businessman in St Austell, said was speaking both on a personal level as a businessman but also had the full authority to speak for two key business organisations, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Institute of Directors, of which he was a committee member.

“It is staggering that a team of professionals (the Environment Agency and Cornwall County Council) can hinder such a vital resource to such an extent, costing not only tax payers money but also dramatically hindering the economic growth and potential for such a deprived area,” he said.

“My business is one of the leading marketing services suppliers in Cornwall and my publications depend upon proactive, excited organisations who wish to prosper and grow and who feel inclined to advertise this to people who can afford to spend money with them.

“In my experience, the majority of the 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.

“Why this final delay for a significant private investor who has bothered to come to Cornwall instead of going abroad for such a project? It sends out all together the wrong message,” he said.

Mr Paul Wright, who was the tourism and cultural services manager for Restormel Borough Council until June 2006, said he welcomed the proposals for The Beach.

Currently employed as Marketing and Promotions Director at Trevornick Holiday Park at Holywell Bay, Newquay, he said: “The proposed development fits in well with the Department of Culture, Media and Sports ‘Tomorrow’s Tourism strategy, South West Torusim’s ‘Towards 2015’ and the Cornwall Destination Management Organisation’s (CDMO) tourism strategy.

“All three strategies support quality provision of accommodation which will provide all year round facilities, higher quality spend and address the seasonality issue that Cornwall faces.”

The CDMO’s project aims included the following:

“To contribute to an increase in the number of the new job opportunities in the tourism sector by helping to extend tourism business’s operating times to year round.

To contribute to a reduction in long term unemployment in seasonally affected town and resorts, thereby increasing average income among poorly paid workers in these areas.

To encourage more visitors to make more frequent return visits.

To attract more first time visitors to the area.

“The development will no doubt provide all year round employment, needed in the St Austell area more than most, particularly as there are areas of deprivation close to the town and also hanging over the area is the loss of 600 jobs at Imerys.

“Like many other destinations, Cornwall is trying to build on its shoulder periods and as a result it is building on its short break market and the expanding network that currently exists from Newquay airport.

“It is also my understanding that the proposed vision for the town of St Austell is to make it an all year round destination and to create a vibrant economy as well as an attractive place to live and work. My view is The Beach development will lend itself to this vision and improve the towns profile – which to be frank is desperately needed.”

Mr Steve Hurst, on behalf of St Austell Independent Traders, said his group had met with Carlyon Bay Watch in the early days, along with the St Austell Chamber of Commerce, to try and find some common ground on The Beach development.

This was not possible and he believed that Carlyon Bay Watch’s true aim was “purely selfishly motivated to stop any development”.

“We have also attended many meetings with Ampersand and have always received honest answers to the many questions we have asked them. We are very much of the opinion that Ampersand are wholly committed to this project and will deliver a high standard finished development that Cornwall will be proud of.”

He said that St Austell had declined both socially and economically in the past seven years due to a major development plan for the town which had not progressed.

“This delay has put the town of St Austell close to breaking point,” he said. “However, should this long delayed town development be complete, it will need added footfall to make the town of St Austell once again viable from a business point of view. Thus the reason for our support of the development of Carlyon Bay is because it will produce badly needed employment during its construction, creating local disposable income and, once constructed, it will generate footfall and trade for the town, which will then generate more employment.

“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,” he concluded.

Mr Ed Veerman, Managing Director of a local landscaping contracting company, said: “We really need The Beach to happen to create more wealth for the area – and that’s what it’s all about.”

“Investment in this part of the county hasn’t happened as much as it has in Camborne and Redruth. So we were absolutely delighted when Ampersand came along.

“I never forgot what they said when I first met them when they said they wanted to use local businesses wherever they could. And to give them their due, they have stuck by their word and wherever possible they have employed local businesses – I take my hat off to them.

“We really need them to help our area,” he said.