WE RECENTLY attended a meeting of the North Cornwall Beach Users' Forum, a body which meets twice a year and is open to anyone. The meeting was held in the Parkhouse Centre, Bude and as well as the usual reports from lifeguards, beach rangers etc, we were extremely surprised to see a display of plans regarding a proposal to construct a children's play area on the 'green' (the area of grass between the beach huts and the cafe) at Crooklets Beach.

The plans were professionally produced, which suggests that the implementation of the scheme is likely to happen in the near future. They include building a large model of the prow of a ship at the seaward end of the 'green', presumably intended as a stylised climbing frame, and to put up a tall wigwam-shaped 'mast' at the other end. The whole area will be covered with hard or rubber surfaces, with steps up from the sides which would double as seating.

When we asked the chairman of the meeting if the plans had been on public display, we were told that they had been on view on the Lower Wharf for a 'very short time' over the summer.

The whole scheme appears to have emerged without any consultation. There is another relevant body, the 'Crooklets Beach Users' Forum', (which we had never heard about until it was mentioned at this meeting, and whose members apparently knew nothing about the scheme); surely this would have been an excellent place to start. We would contend that the draft plans emerging from such consultation ought to then be displayed at the beach, during the summer season, thus giving holidaymakers as well as local users a chance to comment and for those comments to be acted upon.

We regard this development not only as totally unnecessary but also as detrimental to the present appearance and use of this area. Our observations are based on over 30 years use of Crooklets Beach, both with and without children of our own. For most of the summer season we have observed the use to which the 'green' is put. Our objections, based upon this experience, are summarised as ­follows.

On entering the area from the path between the beach huts, the present open and stunning view of the sea and beach framed by the Wrangles rocks will be spoiled by the 'ship' in the foreground.

The addition of the 'ship' and the 'mast' to an otherwise green and natural area will make this unspoiled beach look like just another playground.

At the landward end of the 'green' the 'mast' will make difficult the impromptu cricket games on the green by groups of families with young children. This is a major use of the area and enables families using the huts to play with small children whilst remaining within reach of their base and indeed the toilets. At most states of the tide the stoney nature of the beach makes games like cricket or football impossible and the 'Downs' area slopes too much to be an alternative.

The proposed path cutting across the area seriously reduces the space available for the above use and indeed for play in general.

We would question whether the 'seating steps' at the seaward side of the area will be 'fit for purpose'. The benches that are there at present are much-used by older people who find a seat at a decent height and an arm rest to push off from when rising very helpful. Getting up from the steps will be harder. The benches are just as suitable for younger users too.

The apparent deletion of the picnic tables, only installed a few years ago, will be a terrible mistake as they are very heavily used, especially by casual strollers, those accompanying people in wheelchairs and wanting to sit by them to chat, families dressing small children and looking for somewhere to park a bag or a towel, and indeed picnickers.

We know that there is a problem trying to prevent vandalism to the existing beach huts and would suggest that adding equipment such as that proposed for the 'play area' will attract more groups of youths later in the evening who will cause damage both to it and the huts.

Surely there are already enough 'play areas' near Crooklets Beach without constructing more. The sea, beach, downs, sea pool, skateboard area, and nearby play area at Summerleaze Beach (which has no direct impact on that beach unlike the proposal at Crooklets) provide ample varied ­opportunities.

Finally, if there is enough money available for this scheme to go ahead, let us hope that radical refurbishment of the beach huts (not merely the application of another coat of paint) will also be funded. Incidentally, we have had a communication from the Technical Services Department of NCDC, dated November 6, informing us that their application for planning permission for the development has been granted.

Bude.