‘Dumping ground’ safety fears at popular beach

Children play and swim there

Safety fears have been raised at an historic Devonport beach beauty spot loved by swimmers, families and walkers which residents say is being used as a dumping ground.

Boat parts, tyres and litter are not only marring the North Corner quayside and Cornwall Beach area, across the water from Torpoint, but are posing a danger to children who play on the beach and in the sea.

Once a well respected and maintained area, significant to Plymouth’s history as a hub for dockyard workers, a landing area for ferries and trade and a departure point for convicts to Australia, the last ten years has seen a decline in how the site is looked after, says the landlord of the pub on the waterfront.

Phil Head, who has been running the Steam Packet Inn for more than three decades, said: “It’s a mess. It used to be lovely here but in recent years it’s just become a dumping ground.

“People get hold of boats that are being given away, bring them here, strip them of anything worth keeping and abandon them.

“There are also a load of tyres on the beach and other items. Kids come down here and play but when the tide is in, things are hidden and anyone in the water could easily have a nasty injury or worse.”

Mr Head said once a year a special ceremony is held at the memorial at North Corner for the Royal Marines from Plymouth who served and died in Operation Frankton in France during the second world war.

The ceremony was attended by families of those who died, the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, MPs and other dignitaries and wreaths left at the scene.

“You would think that there would be more respect for this place given how important it is to Plymouth,” added Mr Head.

“There is litter everywhere and the bins don’t get emptied enough. I am fed up with it looking like a tip.”

He said the area saw many visitors each year who thought they were coming to a beach in Cornwall but their sat nav brought them to Devonport.

“It could be a real attraction but instead they look over the wall and see the state of it and are horrified,” he said, adding that the worst thing that Plymouth City Council did was get rid of the piermaster who lived on site.

With the quayside area in several different ownerships including the Ministry of Defence and Plymouth City Council it was like each party was “passing it off and not doing anything” said Mr Head, who has approached his Labour MP Luke Pollard over the matter and is making enquiries to see if the community can take it over with grant help.

Bob Darch, who maintains a nearby area on behalf of residents, said he often cleared up litter at North Corner although it was not his responsibility because he cared about the place. He said there used to be a bin there but the council had taken it away.

“We used to have benches along the front, it was really nice, but they have long gone too,” he said.

Another local resident Mark Mitchell said: “When I came here 20 years ago with three kids they used to be on the beach and in the sea all the time. I would not let my dog in there now.”

Darren Couling said the condition of the beach had deteriorated to such a degree that it was no longer a safe or pleasant place to visit.

He said both the slipway and the steps down to the beach were now eroding.

He urged all involved parties to “come together to take immediate and effective action” to remove the boats and debris, repair and stabilise the structures and “introduce preventative measures, such as signage, restrictions, surveillance or appoint a manager to stop further illegal dumping and “pursue enforcement action,” he said.

“Cornwall Beach is a place of deep historic and local value, and it is distressing to see it treated as a dumping ground. It is not only part of our landscape—it is part of our identity as a community. I, along with many other residents, would like to see it cleaned up, protected, and respected once again.”

Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said: “Folks here in Devonport have every right to be frustrated with the condition of Cornwall Beach. 

“It’s something I’ve raised with the government, council and other owners several times over the years, and I’ll keep pressing for a proper solution. 

“As things stand, I’m in communication with the council and the Ministry of Defence on this issue and I hope we can sort things out.”

The Ministry of Defence said: “We continue to work closely with Plymouth City Council and other owners to organise regular clean ups and remove abandoned boats and debris.”

The MOD only owned a small part of the beach which was private and did not include the steps or slipway.

Lockable bollards had been installed on the edge of the public highway to restrict vehicle access to the highway.

Plymouth City Council has been contacted for comment.