Future Coast Bude update on Capital Projects

As Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change at Cornwall Council I wanted to provide you with an update on the capital works proposed as part of the Future Coast Bude programme. It is clear that there is strong public opinion on this subject and following a review of the Future Coast Bude capital projects, a revised package of works has been agreed, as set out below, to ensure the projects can be delivered before the programme concludes in spring 2027.

Future Coast Bude is funded through the Defra Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme (CTAP), which supports coastal communities to prepare for and adapt to the impacts of coastal change.

Since the programme began, Future Coast Bude has delivered a wide range of projects to improve accessibility, increase understanding of coastal change and support long-term planning for Bude's coastline. This has included improving beach accessibility, trialling a seasonal Park & Ride, supporting coastal monitoring and research, engaging local young people and the wider community, developing educational resources, and creating a long-term Coastal Vision for Bude.

Alongside this work, funding was allocated to deliver a number of capital projects aimed at improving the resilience of key coastal infrastructure and facilities.

Earlier this year, a range of potential capital projects were developed with programme partners and shared with the community to help inform which proposals should be taken forward. Bude-Stratton Town Council subsequently considered those proposals relevant to its role as a landowner, leaseholder and asset manager, identifying the projects it wished to support for further development.

Following community feedback and further discussions, on 6th August key stakeholders reviewed the capital programme. Present at the meeting were

Cllr Leigh Frost – Leader of Cornwall Council

Ben Maguire – Member of Parliament for North Cornwall

Cllr Loic Rich – Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change (Cornwall Council)

Cllr Tony Gibbs – Mayor and Bude-Stratton Town Councillor

Cllr Faye Emery – Cornwall Councillor

Cllr Peter La Broy – Cornwall Councillor

Cllr Nicky Chopak – Cornwall Councillor and CAP Chair

Phil Mason – Strategic Director – Sustainable Growth & Place

Mark Holmes – Head of Strategic Environment & Climate Change

Helen Nicholson – Future Coast Bude Programme Manager

Sarah Bull – Community Link Officer

What has been agreed?

Future Coast Bude will fund:

a new modular toilet block at Summerleaze Car Park, near the Gig Shed, including accessible facilities and a Changing Places toilet;

a new modular toilet block within Crooklets main car park, close to the skate park, including accessible facilities and a Changing Places toilet. This location was identified as the community's preferred option through the engagement process and removes the need for the proposed permeable paving within the overflow car park.

What will no longer proceed?

The following proposals will not proceed as part of the programme:

the installation of permeable paving within the lower section of the Crooklets overflow car park;

reopening the former toilet block at Summerleaze, as there is insufficient time remaining to deliver all of the originally proposed works before the programme funding deadline.

investment in relocating the most vulnerable sections of the coast path between Summerleaze and Crooklets.

This revised approach ensures that the agreed capital projects can be delivered within the programme timescales. Any funding no longer required for these projects will be invested in supporting coastal adaptation in other coastal communities across Cornwall through the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme.

What happens next?

CTAP, through Future Coast Bude will continue to fund the remaining elements of the programme, including supporting Bude-Stratton Town Council with a Coastal Vision and Coastal Change Management Plan. These will build on the extensive work already undertaken with the community and partners over the past year, helping to ensure Bude is better prepared for the impacts of coastal change in the years ahead.

I thank everyone for their ongoing support and engagement with the Future Coast Bude programme and would like to encourage everyone to continue to participate in the works being undertaken to develop the Coastal Vision and Coastal Change Management Plan.

Regards,

Councillor Loic Rich

Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change

Cornwall Council