BUDE-Stratton Town Council (BSTC) held a consultation meeting regarding Compass Point (Storm Tower), which was held at the Parkhouse Centre on Thursday, August 19.

The consultation was about the Grade II listed building which needs, from a heritage perspective, to be moved before it falls into the sea. With constant coastal erosion taking place at Compass Point, it was only a matter of time before the tower would need to be relocated. Originally moved inland to its current position in 1881, 140 years later the Storm Tower is again teetering on the edge of the cliff, exposed to the perils of the sea below.

Project and communications officer, Francesca Churchill-Zerilli from Bude-Stratton Town Council led the meeting, with some of the expert consultants also present to answer technical questions.

The aim is to preserve the tower for another 100 years, and the heritage aim is to try to maintain the sight lines — an unobstructed line of sight (or view) extending from a viewer to some object or landscape in the distance. This involves dismantling the tower, brick by brick.

The storm tower was originally built true north which was later changed to keep the views. The two issues under discussion were orientation and the roof.

In terms of cost, Cornwall Council pledged £50,000 to the project, Bude-Stratton Town Council pledged £25,000, a Crowdfunder raised £60,000 in seven weeks, and a lottery bid for £249,000 has been submitted.

Between March and August, 2021, site surveys have been undertaken, and consultations with structural engineers and a conservation architect have been made.

Next year (2022) is the year for the proposed dismantling and rebuilding, but before then there is a good deal of community engagement planned.

If BSTC did nothing, the cliffs will erode towards the tower, which would classify it as a dangerous structure, while the slope may also become dangerously unstable. The structure could unexpectedly collapse.

The tower was rebuilt in 1881, when the building was rotated slightly. The east elevation contains a door facing east-north-east rather than true east, which it is believed were to ensure views of the sea and the now gone coastguard station for the coastguard.

The current roof is concrete which will be difficult and expensive to replace. Alternatives include steel and metal cladding (zinc) or timber and slate tiles — information is all in the foyer of the Parkhouse for members of the public to view.

Plans are afoot to create a walking and digital trail taking in the storm tower, called ‘Time Tripping Through Bude’ and there are also plans for a weather station in the tower, a time capsule and an exhibition at The Castle.

The planning application must be submitted by September 3 to reach the proposed timescale.