Originally built in 1835, and relocated in 1900 due to eroding cliffs, Compass Point, locally referred to as ‘The Pepper Pot’, has experienced years of coastal erosion and exposure to harsh weather conditions. This had left the future of Compass Point in jeopardy.

The iconic structure sits proudly on Efford Down, on Cornwall Council land, and holds a place in Bude’s history.

Due to the nature of the work and the listed status set out by Historic England, the process to move Compass Point must start with the production of a Heritage Impact Assessment. Bude-Stratton Town Council have been working to support the future of Compass Point and taken the lead on finding a suitable contractor to undertake this, of which only one specialised tender came forward.

Cllr Peter LaBroy, Bude-Stratton Town Councillor and Cornwall Councillor, has been the driving force behind securing its future. He commented: “We are now awaiting funding from Cornwall Council for the Heritage Impact Assessment — this document is the key step needed before we can move forwards and will outline suitable locations.”

It is likely to remain on Efford Down. At a cost of just under £17,000, Bude-Stratton Town Council has now been given funding from Cornwall Council, which will be allocated by April 2020. After which, progress can then be made on the planning application and funding sought to move the building to a secure location, preserving Bude’s icon for decades to come.

The decision to accept Cornwall Council’s funding was made at Bude-Stratton Town Council’s full council meeting on Thursday, February 13.

The decision to agree to commission a Heritage Impact Assessment for Compass Point on behalf of Cornwall Council and approve the acceptance of a Cornwall Council grant of £17,000 to fund the study was unanimously passed.

At the meeting, Cllr La Broy briefly explained that the assessment was needed for the process to be successful. He added: “It will be easier for us to approve the impact assessment. For Heritage England to approve the process they needed the assessment.

“I think realistically it’s unlikely that Cornwall Council will pay for it to be done, what it would do with the assessment, would enable us to apply for funding, and so that we can raise the funding.”

Cllr La Broy proposed that they take the action within the agenda which was to agree to commission a Heritage Impact Assessment for Compass Point. Cllr Robert Uhlig seconded the proposal and the councillors unanimously voted in favour.