RESIDENTS and businesses in Trebarwith Strand have raised concerns after a decision was made to close the seaside village’s public toilets.

The decision was made unanimously by Tintagel Parish Council, with the hope of passing the responsibility on to Cornwall Council for the foreseeable future.

But the decision has been criticised by residents and businesses, who have argued that the toilets are vital to ensuring the flood of tourism continues in the peak season.

Criticism has come from a number of local businesses, such as gift shop Crazy Mermaid, and owner Nicky Neate is encouraging people affected by the closure to write to Cornwall Council with their concerns.

Nicky, who has been a resident of Trebarwith Strand for 16 years and a business owner there for 15, says she witnesses first-hand the constant stream of people that park up and head for the beach, armed with deckchairs, picnics and children with enough beach toys to keep them happy for the day.

She said: “Just what are they supposed to do when they need the loo? What they do is use the derelict garages along the strand, which are so dilapidated the roof is falling in. Not only is it hazardous to those prepared to venture in, but what they are leaving behind is pretty gross and a health hazard in itself.

“Or they use people’s gardens, driveways, the cliff paths or the beach itself. It’s easy to get angry with these people, but what else are they supposed to do? They have been forced into degradation — and I’m talking about hundreds of people daily, thousands per week, and they are encouraged to come by Cornwall Council.

“And here’s the thing. As I understand it, if you provide a tourist attraction — that is a place where visitors are encouraged — it is a legal requirement to provide toilet facilities. Simple as.

“The fact that Cornwall Council provides a large car park at Trebarwith Strand means they are catering for a large influx of visitors. Most importantly, they have a page on their website dedicated to Cornish beaches where various links are given to help you get the most out of visiting our beaches. One is actually entitled ‘Visit Cornwall’ — the main illustration on the page even has a sign saying ‘Go to the beach’! That’s an invitation, right?”

Nicky is concerned the closure of the toilets will have a huge affect on the village.

She said: “I think there is something intrinsically wrong with a society that doesn’t provide basic, fundamental needs for its people. It’s easy to shout about us and them and villain-ise the MPs and councillors, but the irony is that even the villains sometimes need to pee when they are out. So who exactly is the winner here?

“It is the council’s duty to provide toilet facilities, and I urge people — anybody that has ever needed to use a public loo, to write to the council and point out their legal obligation.”

The decision to close the toilets was made at Tintagel Parish Council’s September 4 meeting when councillors noted the cost and income of the public toilets which are owned and maintained by the parish council.

Donations at Trebarwith’s toilets have totalled to £403.46 for the year, but the total costs for operating the facilities stand at approximately £8,500.

According to the council’s minutes, it states: “It was proposed by Cllr Pearse, seconded by Cllr Dale and resolved that Cllr Flower and the clerk should engage in discussions with Cornwall Council representatives, in relation to the Trebarwith Sands lavatories. In the event that any offer is made by the latter organisation, in respect of a compensatory ‘trade off’, then the matter is to be brought back before the parish council for discussion. In the event that no such offer is made by Cornwall Council, the chairman (Cllr Flower) and the clerk are hereby authorised to return the facility to Cornwall Council forthwith.”

Describing his ‘disappointment’ in the decision, Cornwall Councillor for the Tintagel division, Barry Jordan, has said he will lobby Cornwall Council to take the facilities on and open them up for the summer season.

Cllr Jordan says it is ‘the responsibility of Cornwall Council’ to make sure the local community’s needs are met. He told the Post: “I think it is the responsibility of Cornwall Council to ensure that public health is paramount and closing those toilets will be a big mistake. With the amount of money taken from the Trebarwith car park, up 11.64% on 2018, something could be done to use some of that money to support the toilets or they could offer Tintagel Parish Council a yearly grant to help with the costs.”

Cllr Jordan wrote to Simon Mould and Mike Beckett from Cornwall Council, stating he is ‘very disappointed’ that the parish council have closed the toilets, but that he ‘understands why they have taken this course of action’.

He goes on to explain that it has cost the parish council £8,500 so far this year with income of just over £400, deeming it ‘not acceptable’.

He writes: “But that is not the main cause of concern. Those toilets must be kept open at the least from Easter to the end of October. I went to Trebarwith on Sunday and was surprised at the amount of people still visiting and the amount of vehicles in the Cornwall Council car park.”

Having downloaded the takings for the car park, Cllr Jordan states in the letter that the figure to date is in the region of £44,606.33, with Tintagel car park takings being £55,426.13.

He continues: “There is a lot of upset at this closure, and the health of the public lies with Cornwall Council and I think it is time we had a meeting to discuss how Cornwall Council are going to fund the opening of these toilets. I hate to remind you that you work for the people of Cornwall, not the senior officers of the council. We as councillors are also responsible to the public and to protect the lives of our children and families we have a duty of care.”

Cllr Jordan met with Simon Mould, Mike Beckett and Tina McCann at County Hall on Monday, November 4 and updated the Post on the progress.

He said: “It was a very positive meeting and they are willing to explore options to keep the toilets operating from Easter to November each year to start with. I will be attending the Tintagel Parish Council meeting on Wednesday (November 6) to give a report.

“The issue of the Bossiney toilet closure was also mentioned as there seems to be a problem there, so that will be another problem for Tintagel Parish Council.

“It is quite apparent from today’s meeting that they do not want the toilets closed, but there was a resolution of the full council to close them so their hands are tied. So we need to have a plan of action and I will be meeting with local people over the next couple of weeks to find a way forward. Simon, Mike and Tina are quite willing to meet with any group of people who want to form a group willing to help keep them open and running.”

In response a spokesperson from Cornwall Council said: “Cornwall Council has recently been notified of the parish council’s intention to cease operating the facilities at Trebarwith Strand. We are reviewing the matter and will provide an update on the future status of the toilets shortly.”

The Post has also been made aware that the public toilets at nearby Bossiney have also been closed by Tintagel Parish Council, thanks to a letter sent in by reader Glenton Brown (see page 4).

In Tintagel Parish Council’s September 4 minutes, councillors were made aware of noise complaints and evidence of young people congregating at the site of the Bossiney toilets. The council was also made aware that ‘motor homeowners were utilising the facility in order to empty their waste and soil tanks, and to refill their vehicle water tanks’, causing concern due to the risk of ‘chemicals being discharged into the watercourse’.

At the same meeting, it was proposed by Cllr Brooks and seconded by Cllr Pearse to close the Bossiney toilets at the end of September. The minutes read: “The clerk is to ascertain the whereabouts of the Deeds for the same and make the necessary arrangements to place the site onto the market for sale.”

Tintagel Parish Council has been approached for a statement, but none had been received as the Post went to press.

Cllr Jordan has advised any people interested in forming a working group to keep the toilets open to contact him on [email protected] or 07799 790 813.

Do you think Cornwall Council should take over the responsibility of the Trebarwith Strand public toilets? Write to [email protected] to give your opinion or experience.