St Agnes and Perranporth Issues Paper - January 2012

Contents

CORNWALL LDF: CORE STRATEGY PLACE-BASED ISSUES PAPER: ST AGNES AND PERRANPORTH COMMUNITY NETWORK 1 AREA Summary 1 Purpose of paper 1 St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Area 2 Key Facts 3 Introduction 4 Housing 5 Local Economy 6 Transport and Accessibility 7 Retail and Town Centres 8 Community facilities 9 People 10 Environment 11 Coast 13 Summary and Key Spatial Issues 15 Appendix A: Community Planning Area Visions / Key Objectives 15 Appendix B: Landscape Character information from the 2007 17 Landscape Character Assessment St Agnes and Perranporth Issues Paper - January 2012

Contents St Agnes and Perranporth Issues Paper - January 2012 1

Cornwall LDF: Core Strategy Place-based Issues Paper: St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Area

Cornwall LDF: Core Strategy Place-based Issues Paper: St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Area

Summary

Table .1

This paper summarises the key emerging issues for the St. Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Area brought together to inform the Cornwall Core Strategy.

The key issues:

Issue 1 – Enable the provision and appropriate distribution of affordable housing.

Issue 2 – Support the tourist industry and enable other employment opportunities.

Issue 3 – Protect rural shops.

Issue 4 – Coordinate a strategic approach to provision of services and public transport to encourage self containment and sustainable transport.

Issue 5 – Consider the need for a north coast secondary school and the provision of leisure facilities.

Issue 6 – Provide for the needs of an elderly population.

Issue 7 – Encourage effective coastal management.

Purpose of paper

This is one of a series of papers whose main purpose is to identify the key issues for a specific area of Cornwall. There are nineteen Community Network Areas in Cornwall, based on groupings of parishes as shown on the map below. Community Network Areas were introduced to give communities a stronger voice in helping them deal with complex issues. In this they offer a valuable conduit through which proposed Core Strategy area policies can be refined to reflect local issues through engagement, policy formulation, delivery and local ownership. Further information on Community Network Areas can be found at http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=12439.

The various issues have been identified from a variety of sources including plans and proposals of other organisations. Parish Plans have been very useful in identifying issues, and a summary of the ‘visions’ for each of the Parish Plans undertaken in the St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Area is included in Appendix 1. These place-based papers, along with the topic-based Issues Papers, will form the first stage of the development of options for the Core Strategy. A full list of the Core Strategy Issues Papers accessed on the Council’s website http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=22887. 2 St Agnes and Perranporth Issues Paper - January 2012

Cornwall LDF: Core Strategy Place-based Issues Paper: St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Area

St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Area

Description ~ The St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Area is made up of six parishes, St. Agnes, , St. Allen, St. East, and Crantock. The area runs along the north coast of mid Cornwall, north of . The main settlements in the area are St Agnes and Perranporth and other villages and smaller settlements include , St. Newlyn East, Porthtowan and Mount Hawke. St Agnes and Perranporth Issues Paper - January 2012 3

Cornwall LDF: Core Strategy Place-based Issues Paper: St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Area

Key Facts

Key facts about the St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Area include the following (www.cornwall.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=20177 for the latest version of the St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Profile which gives more information):

PARISHES: Crantock, Cubert, Perranzabuloe, St Agnes, and St Newlyn East.

POPULATION: The overall population in the St. Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Area is 17,500. The population of Perranporth is approx 3,066 and of St. Agnes 2,200. Much of the population is therefore dispersed through rural settlements and the average population density for the area is 1.41/ha, slightly less than the average for Cornwall. The population grew at a rate of 6% between 2001 and 2010, in line with the Cornish average. The age distribution is similar to the Cornwall average, although there are slightly lower proportions of the population in the younger age groups and slightly higher proportions of people in the older age groups

ENVIRONMENT: The AONB includes the coast from Porthtowan to Cligga Head and includes St. Agnes Beacon. There are seven SSSI within the Community Network Area. Surface water, sewage, tidal flooding and fluvial flooding are a problem in Perranporth. The St. Agnes mining district is part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscapes World Heritage Site. Penhale Sands is a Special Area of Conservation - of international importance. There are building conservation areas in Callestick, Crantock, Mingoose, Mitchell, Mithian, St. Agnes and St Newlyn East. 4 St Agnes and Perranporth Issues Paper - January 2012

Cornwall LDF: Core Strategy Place-based Issues Paper: St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Area

HOUSING: There were around 8,443 dwellings in 2010, with there having been a 20% increase in dwelling numbers in the period 1991-2010 (average of 20% across Cornwall). As at 31st March 2010 there were 62 dwellings under construction and 129 unimplemented planning permissions. About 1.8% of dwellings were registered as empty properties - Cornwall average 1.7% - and 11.7% of properties were registered as second homes – Cornwall average 10.7% (Council Tax, 2011). These figures indicate that an average proportion of dwellings remain vacant, but that there is a great deal of competition between permanent and temporary residents. 66 affordable homes are required each year to meet need.

EMPLOYMENT: The rural and coastal areas support some jobs in farming and tourism. Manufacturing is declining whilst the service sector is growing. Although unemployment is relatively low, wages are well below the national average.

TRAVEL: Three bus companies serve this area, which has led to an improvement in number of services between the villages and Truro. Provision between villages can be more sporadic but a Community Transport service (the North Carrick Community Bus) operates in the area.

FACILITIES: There are primary schools in several villages and the nearest secondary schools are in , Truro and and . Most villages retain a shop and a pub. There are doctors’ and dentists’ surgeries in St Agnes and Perranporth. Many of the villages also retain and support one or more village halls and have children’s play areas. Planning permission has been granted for a leisure centre in Perranporth but has not yet been implemented.

Options Consultation Feedback (2011)

During the Options consultation St Agnes Parish Council stated a preference for low growth combined with the economy-led approach to distribution (focussing development on key regeneration areas); whilst St Newlyn East Parish Council chose medium growth combined with the economy-led approach.

Introduction

The following tables provide the link between the ‘Topic Based Issues Papers’ and the ‘Place Based Issues Papers’. Each table explores the evidence relating to this area against the main themes from a policy and community viewpoint, and concludes by identifying specific issues. Housing Cornwall

Table .2

Housing: This table will explore the evidence relating to housing – future growth, balance in the housing stock, tenure mix, quality, LDF: deprivation, second homes, in-migration, affordability and housing need. Evidence that highlights specific issues for this area will be identified under ‘Issues for consideration’ and in the summary box at the end of the table – evidence that shows no difference

between this area and the average for Cornwall will not. Core

Evidence & Policy Context Community View(1) Issues for Consideration Strategy This area is in the 10% most deprived nationally in Desire to be involved in setting Provision and distribution of terms of access to housing and facilities – in other design standards for affordable housing. words affordable housing is a problem in this area. development. There is a high level of second homes in Perranporth (6.1%) and Porthtowan (6%) compared Place-based

to a Cornwall average of 4.9%. Perranporth Despite the need for affordable housing, in this area a higher proportion of people than average own their homes outright. The majority of housing within this area scores within St Issues

the most deprived 25% nationally for indoor living Agnes

environment. Community and Summary: Few of the parishes in this area have completed a parish plan. Community views will be sought, initially Perranporth through engagement with members and then through public consultation on issues and options, to inform the Core Paper: Strategy. The evidence shows that affordable housing is a severe problem in this area. Issues Network St Paper Agnes - January Area and 2012 1 The views in this column reflect the views expressed by communities, predominantly in their parish and town plans, where these are available. A more comprehensive list of views as expressed in parish and town plans in this Community Network Area is shown as an appendix to this document. 5 6 St Perranporth Cornwall

Local Economy Agnes

Table .3 and

Local Economy: This table will explore the evidence relating to the local economy, including regeneration and tourism – economic Perranporth activity, unemployment, deprivation, regeneration, dominant industries, occupation levels, skills, and the ability to work locally. LDF:

Evidence that highlights specific issues for this area will be identified under ‘Issues for consideration’ and in the summary box at Community the end of the table – evidence that shows no difference between this area and the average for Cornwall will not. Issues Core

Evidence & Policy Context Community View Issues for Consideration Paper Strategy The most important sector for local employment is Support farmer’s markets/local Importance of tourist industry. - January hotels and restaurants – over 25% of people in this food production. Enable other employment area are employed in this sector, compared to a Support development of rural opportunities. Network Cornwall average of 12%. work hubs. 2012

The area is fairly heavily reliant on tourism for Place-based employment, which is mainly seasonal.

Other residents will commute (mainly to Truro and Area Camborne/Redruth) for work. Unemployment (15.1%) is below the Cornwall average of 17.9%.

Summary: Tourism is important to the local economy. However, some jobs in the tourist industry can be poorly paid , Issues part time and/or seasonal. There is a need to encourage other sectors and ensure high quality jobs area available. Provision of rural workspace could reduce the need to commute, but demand needs to be assessed. Paper: St Agnes and Transport and Accessibility Cornwall

Table .4

Transport and Accessibility: This table will explore the evidence relating to transport and accessibility – opportunities for walking LDF: and cycling, use of private vehicles and public transport, road/rail/air/water networks, and connections within and outside the area. Evidence that highlights specific issues for this area will be identified under ‘Issues for consideration’ and in the summary box at

the end of the table – evidence that shows no difference between this area and the average for Cornwall will not. Core

Evidence & Policy Context Community View Issues for Consideration Strategy There are fairly good bus links from the Improve public transport and investigate Take a coordinated approach larger villages to Truro. Goonhavern, provision of community bus. to provision of services and Perranporth and St Agnes have evening Promote use of footpaths. public transport to encourage bus services and school bus services. Difficult to access health facilities. self containment and However travel between villages is more sustainable transport. Place-based

difficult and many of the more rural Perranporth areas have no evening or Sunday services.

Summary: The larger villages have a wide range of shops and services and regular bus services to the main towns in mid Cornwall. However residents of more rural settlements will be reliant on the car to access shops, services and St Issues employment. Agnes Community and Perranporth Paper: Issues Network St Paper Agnes - January Area and 2012 7 8 St Perranporth Cornwall

Retail and Town Centres Agnes

Table .5 and

Retail and Town Centres: This table will explore the evidence relating to retail and town centres – levels of convenience, Perranporth comparison and service retail outlets, self-containment, competition from other centres’, shopper needs, capacity for growth, and LDF:

loss of facilities. Evidence that highlights specific issues for this area will be identified under ‘Issues for consideration’ and in the Community summary box at the end of the table – evidence that shows no difference between this area and the average for Cornwall will not. Issues Core

Evidence & Policy Context Community View Issues for Consideration Paper Strategy St Agnes and Perranporth have a wide range of shops, Support farmers’ Protect rural shops. - January catering for day to day needs and for tourist demand. markets. Other villages such as St Newlyn East, Goonhavern and Network Mount Hawke also support a range of shops. Smaller 2012

settlements may support a general shop and facilities Place-based may be augmented by mobile services.

St Agnes town centre is a designated Conservation Area. Area

Summary: The larger villages are self sufficient in terms of convenience goods. Residents are likely to travel to Truro or Redruth/Camborne for comparison shopping. Issues Paper: St Agnes and Community facilities Cornwall

Table .6

Community facilities: This table will explore the evidence relating to community facilities, including health, recreation and open LDF: space – health care, education, meeting places, formal and informal sports spaces, open space, and loss of facilities. Evidence that highlights specific issues for this area will be identified under ‘Issues for consideration’ and in the summary box at the end of

the table – evidence that shows no difference between this area and the average for Cornwall will not. Core

Evidence & Policy Context Community View Issues for Consideration Strategy There are primary schools at Provision of part time or mobile health Can Perranporth support a Blackwater, Cubert, Goonhavern, facilities to meet rural need. secondary school/ could this Mithian, Mount Hawke, Perranporth, St Investigate need for sports and other be linked with community and Agnes and St Newlyn East. The nearest facilities for young people. sports facilities. secondary schools are in Newquay, Need to assess community Place-based

Truro and Camborne and Redruth. facility needs. Perranporth There are doctors surgeries and dentists in St Agnes and Perranporth(2). The area has a higher than average number of restaurants and cafes, but St Issues

some of these are seasonal. Agnes

There is a library at St Agnes and the Community

mobile library serves the larger villages. and

There are post offices in St Newlyn Perranporth East, St Agnes, Porthtowan, Paper: Perranporth, Mount Hawke, Goonhavern, Cubert, Crantock and Issues Network

Blackwater St Paper Summary: Many of the villages are well provided with facilities, but more could be done to facilitate travel between Agnes

villages to access these services. More community feedback is required to find out what sort of facilities and services - people feel are lacking in their area. St Newlyn East Parish Plan expresses a desire for joint working between parishes January Area

for coordinated provision of facilities. and 2012

2 (2009) Survey of key facilities in settlements 9 10 St Perranporth Cornwall

People Agnes

Table .7 and

People: This table will explore the evidence relating to people, including demographics, education & skills, social inclusion, crime Perranporth

& anti-social behaviour – age profile, social deprivation, health, safety, perceptions’ of crime, qualifications and skills. Evidence LDF:

that highlights specific issues for this area will be identified under ‘Issues for consideration’ and in the summary box at the end of Community the table – evidence that shows no difference between this area and the average for Cornwall will not. Issues Core

Evidence & Policy Context Community View Issues for Consideration Paper Strategy None of the Parishes within St Need for visible police presence, concern To cater for the needs of the - January Agnes/Perranporth are within the 20% over antisocial behaviour. ageing population. most deprived in , the crime rate Identifying pockets of Network is significantly lower than the average deprivation and ensuring 2012

rate for Cornwall and approx half the services are accessible. Place-based average for England.

Crime rates in the area are low: 33.2 Area per 1000 population compared to national 65.3 and Cornwall 52.8. Crime peaks in August and Perranporth has the highest crime rate There is a wide range in deprivation in Issues terms of health, education and income within the area.

There are higher than average numbers Paper: of people in the 50-60 and 70-84 year old age brackets.

Summary: Whilst the area as a whole is not rated as deprived and the incidence of crime is low overall, the ‘range of St (3) deprivation’ graph shows that there are large variations within the network area. Help should therefore be targeted Agnes where is it needed specifically. The engagement process and more community feedback should be used to help identify specific needs. and

3 Link to Community Network Profiles - http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=20177 Environment Cornwall

Table .8

Environment: This table will explore the evidence relating to the environment – biodiversity, geodiversity, landscape & seascape, LDF: historic environment, flooding, soil, air and water. Evidence that highlights specific issues for this area will be identified under ‘Issues for consideration’ and in the summary box at the end of the table – evidence that shows no difference between this area

and the average for Cornwall will not. Core

Evidence & Policy Context Community View Issues for Consideration Strategy Surface water, sewerage, tidal flooding Coastal management. and fluvial flooding are a problem in Protection of natural and (4) Perranporth . historic environment. The area contains a spectacular coastline, part of which is designated Place-based

AONB. Perranporth The sand dunes at Perranporth, Perran Sands and Crantock contribute to the landscape, support niche habitats and require management and protection. St Issues

The St Agnes mining district WHS lies Agnes

within the area. Community

The clustered settlement pattern is and

typical and distinctive in this area. Perranporth Landscape character: The area contains Paper: (parts of) a number of landscape character areas as described in (5) Issues Network

Appendix B . St Paper Agnes - January Area and 2012 4 Cornwall SFRA1, consultation version 5 Cornwall Landscape Character Assessment (2007) 1 1 12 St Perranporth Cornwall

There is a risk of contaminated water Agnes run off from previous mining sites.

There are designated bathing waters at and

St Agnes and Perranporth. Perranporth LDF: Summary: The high quality environment contributes to quality of life and supports the tourist draw to the area. The natural and historic environment need to be protected. Community Issues Core Paper Strategy - January Network 2012 Place-based Area Issues Paper: St Agnes and Coast Cornwall

Table .9

Coast: This table will explore the evidence relating to the coast. Evidence that highlights specific issues for this area will be LDF: identified under ‘Issues for consideration’ and in the summary box at the end of the table – evidence that shows no difference between this area and the average for Cornwall will not. Core Evidence & Policy Context Community View Issues for Consideration

Perranporth is at risk from tidal flooding. Protection and enhancement Strategy Includes rugged cliffs and headlands of the AONB and of and sandy beaches; AONB and undeveloped coast. Heritage Coast along coast broadly west Conservation of the World from Perranporth to Porthowan. Heritage Site. Virtually entire length of coast is Define Coastal Change Place-based

designated SSSI. Management Areas Perranporth Godrevy Head to St Agnes SAC. Public access to the coast. Coast from Perranporth westwards to Tidal flooding at Perranporth and including Porthtowan is within the St Agnes Mining District of the Cornwall St Issues and West Devon Mining Landscape Agnes

World Heritage Site. Community

Draft SMP2 objectives include in and

summary - to allow the natural evolution Perranporth of the coast whilst recognising the need Paper: to maintain the identity and viability of the coastal settlements through Issues Network

maintaining recreational and amenity St

facilities within the context of the natural Paper Agnes amenity value of the area; -

National Heritage Coast objectives. January Area and 2012 13 14 St Perranporth Cornwall

Summary: The various designated and protected areas have management plans to protect and enhance their particular Agnes interests, whether historic features and landscape, biodiversity or landform etc. The Core Strategy needs to take these into account and ensure protection of these areas, whilst enabling access to these assets by the public. These natural and

assets are important to tourism and the economy. Tidal flooding is an issue at Perranporth. Perranporth LDF: Community Issues Core Paper Strategy - January Network 2012 Place-based Area Issues Paper: St Agnes and St Agnes and Perranporth Issues Paper - January 2012 15

Cornwall LDF: Core Strategy Place-based Issues Paper: St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Area

Summary and Key Spatial Issues

Table .10

This paper summarises the key emerging issues for the St. Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Area brought together to inform the Cornwall Core Strategy.

The key issues:

Issue 1 – Enable the provision and appropriate distribution of affordable housing.

Issue 2 – Support the tourist industry and enable other employment opportunities.

Issue 3 – Protect rural shops.

Issue 4 – Coordinate a strategic approach to provision of services and public transport to encourage self containment and sustainable transport.

Issue 5 – Consider the need for a north coast secondary school and the provision of leisure facilities.

Issue 6 – Provide for the needs of an elderly population.

Issue 7 – Encourage effective coastal management.

Appendix A: Community Planning Area Visions / Key Objectives

Table .11

Document Summary of “vision”

St. Newlyn East Sets out the following themes and objectives: Community Plan Community services and facilities (2011) 1: A community hall for Mitchell

2: Providing allotments

3: A farmer’s market in the Parish

4: Improved transport services for the community

5: Car-share scheme

6: Improved access to health services

Community safety 16 St Agnes and Perranporth Issues Paper - January 2012

Cornwall LDF: Core Strategy Place-based Issues Paper: St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Area

1: Establishing policing priorities in the Parish

2: Traffic management and road safety

Our built environment

1: Identifying locations suitable for development

2: Housing: an ‘acceptable development’ policy

Leisure and recreation

1: Improved facilities for young people

2: Developing clubs and activities for community groups

3: An annual Parish Festival

4: Develop The Pit as a cultural venue

Our natural environment

1: Ensuring a cleaner environment

2: A community composting scheme

3: Improving footpath accessibility

4: A circular walks leaflet for the Parish

Our local economy

1: Exploring the potential for economic growth

2: Supporting local businesses and services

Parish Council Initiatives

1: A dedicated Parish Council office

2: Delivering services and forming partnerships

3: Parish Councillor surgeries and community information-sharing

4: A local grants scheme

5: Working towards Quality Parish Council status St Agnes and Perranporth Issues Paper - January 2012 17

Cornwall LDF: Core Strategy Place-based Issues Paper: St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Area

Appendix B: Landscape Character information from the 2007 Cornwall Landscape Character Assessment

COMMUNITY NETWORK AREA 15 – ST AGNES & PERRANPORTH

Evidence and Policy Context

Landscape Character Areas (LCA):

LCA 11 Redruth, Camborne and LCA 12 St Agnes LCA 14 LCA 15 Newquay and Perranporth Coast www.cornwall.gov.uk/cornwall_landscape (underscore between cornwall and landscape)

Issues for Consideration

Environment

Limit development including tourism on the exposed open plateau, St Agnes Beacon and coastal zone, maintaining sections of undeveloped coast. Conserve and maintain areas of upland heath. Ensure development enhances the mining character of the villages and miners cottages, particularly in the St Agnes Mining District World Heritage Site. Develop design guidance to enhance holiday and caravan parks and reduce their visual intrusion in the wider landscape. Enhance and maintain access to car parking along the coastal zone. Soften urban edges with appropriate mitigation and planting. Link the management and strategic planning of Network Area 15 with other adjacent network areas:-

St Agnes - Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) - Network Areas 4, 15. St Agnes Mining District - World Heritage Site - Network Areas 4, 15.