The Cornwall We Want

What are your hopes and fears for the future?

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  Tourism in Cornwall

  by Seadog, over 6 years ago

  I'm totally aware that this beautiful county needs and relies on tourism. We welcome the young families and older members of the world to enjoy what Cornwall has to offer. Sadly there is a darker side of people visiting us, drunkenness and litter bugs fouling are villages and beaches. I hear of young females leaving spent tampons on beaches and males urinating in village streets. Sad that this is, it can only get worse if we don't plan to stop this.

  This is not an easy task, but with careful planning not to disrupt the tourism trade we can achieve... Continue reading

  I'm totally aware that this beautiful county needs and relies on tourism. We welcome the young families and older members of the world to enjoy what Cornwall has to offer. Sadly there is a darker side of people visiting us, drunkenness and litter bugs fouling are villages and beaches. I hear of young females leaving spent tampons on beaches and males urinating in village streets. Sad that this is, it can only get worse if we don't plan to stop this.

  This is not an easy task, but with careful planning not to disrupt the tourism trade we can achieve to rid our county of this scourge.

  I'd welcome any reply,

  Seadog.
• Share No more cycles/horses riding side by side please. on Facebook Share No more cycles/horses riding side by side please. on X (formerly Twitter) Share No more cycles/horses riding side by side please. on Linkedin Email No more cycles/horses riding side by side please. link

  No more cycles/horses riding side by side please.

  by Dave777, over 6 years ago

  Ive lost count on how many cycles and horse riders keep riding side by side on our narrow country lanes, even on bends. Do they not know how deadly this is when i have to try to miss them in my car or just drive into the hedge. they are lucky i dont drive very fast. Please stop this before you get hurt or worse.

  Ive lost count on how many cycles and horse riders keep riding side by side on our narrow country lanes, even on bends. Do they not know how deadly this is when i have to try to miss them in my car or just drive into the hedge. they are lucky i dont drive very fast. Please stop this before you get hurt or worse.
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  scandalous second homes

  by DRB, over 6 years ago

  Second homes should not be allowed anywhere in the UK, not only do the council lose out because they only pay business rates but small businesses lose out in the colder months as the houses stand empty, future generations lose out as there are less and less homes for sale, check rightmove and see how many homes are only for second home use, they drive up house prices making it extremely difficult for the people on low income as the season dies down and work becomes less and less, the government and councils need to stop this, with so many... Continue reading

  Second homes should not be allowed anywhere in the UK, not only do the council lose out because they only pay business rates but small businesses lose out in the colder months as the houses stand empty, future generations lose out as there are less and less homes for sale, check rightmove and see how many homes are only for second home use, they drive up house prices making it extremely difficult for the people on low income as the season dies down and work becomes less and less, the government and councils need to stop this, with so many homeless im surprised that this practice is still allowed to carry on.
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  How much is too much?

  over 6 years ago

  I've been reading the other responses and understand both sides of this argument. We do need tourism and all that means and brings but wouldn't it be nice to have less tourists? It has been delightful to to enjoy some summer without the hoards hasn't it? However we do need those hoards to keep us going - I get it. However do we actually need more? More apartments more second homes more campsites more tourism. Surely we have enough to maintain a busy vibrant tourism industry that does provide employment, albeit very seasonal and in large part low paid and... Continue reading

  I've been reading the other responses and understand both sides of this argument. We do need tourism and all that means and brings but wouldn't it be nice to have less tourists? It has been delightful to to enjoy some summer without the hoards hasn't it? However we do need those hoards to keep us going - I get it. However do we actually need more? More apartments more second homes more campsites more tourism. Surely we have enough to maintain a busy vibrant tourism industry that does provide employment, albeit very seasonal and in large part low paid and short term. My concern is if you look around the county you see small (and some not so small) coastal villages dying because there are too many second homes/ holiday homes. There is a difference between the two and unfortunately too many of those second homes register as businesses and claim to be full for large parts of the year but they aren't, they are of no active benefit to the local economy ( I absolutely know of second homes that are used regularly and contribute and engage with the local community- they are to be commended). Mostly these homes lie empty and pretty but of no help to the local communities. Even worse I have heard of more than one or two incidences for these people claiming business interruption money from the council and getting it! No fault of the Council but talk about greedy and thoughtless whilst other local businesses are really struggling. I think the only way around this must be for there to be more stringent checks on second homes being used as second homes or as businesses or fake businesses.

  There must be other ways for the housing market to be more equitable. Because of all these beautiful new buildings or renovations the house prices go up and local people can afford less. We are a poor county, rich in environment and welcoming people. Already we are hearing about many families wanting to move down here after COVID - how long will they actually stay? How well will they integrate and contribute to the local community? Will they in fact bring some of their fearful way of living with them? Sadly I think they will - chains and locks and walls and barriers to protect what belongs to them - this is not the cornwall I have grown up in (and I'm under 50 so don't think I'm hankering after some 50's dream) which is safe, inclusive and welcoming. Of course things change and they should but we have this moment when we can choose how to progress. How radical do you want to be? Could we be the first county to be driven by carbon free energy (mad complicated I'm not stupid but why not)? Can we be focused as a county on not encouraging multi nationals to blight our high streets however they end up looking? No more Macdonalds or Dominos allowed for instance. Can the council stand strong against very powerful companies / developers / business lobbyists? How about you want to build a new housing development in cornwall - sure but it HAS to have solar panels on all new builds and really accessible to local families. How about we limit the number of houses that can be sold as "second homes" at open market value. How about haveing a two tier pricing structure? Of course its very difficult and I'm sure unscrupulous people will find a way to abuse it but what about the people who live and work here? Seriously. What about them? As the house prices increase the private rents increase. The wages don't. Poverty increases. there are many other things I could waffle about but I'll stop for now. To make any massive change the Council will have to be radical, dynamic, bold and fearless. Be brave Cornwall Council be brave
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  Cornwall can be a global powerhouse

  over 6 years ago

  Lockdown forced many organisations that were reluctant to move to flexible offsite working to have to bite the bullet. The net result is an explosion in associated products and services to support this new way of working. Being digitally connected means you can be anywhere... Boston, Bombay or Bodmin - the Cloud allows us to pass over traditional distance and time barriers.

  To that end, we are not constrained by tourism and agriculture as the dominant sectors. We could move to a more flexible work model that involved more digital working over the winter months and supporting the traditional economies... Continue reading

  Lockdown forced many organisations that were reluctant to move to flexible offsite working to have to bite the bullet. The net result is an explosion in associated products and services to support this new way of working. Being digitally connected means you can be anywhere... Boston, Bombay or Bodmin - the Cloud allows us to pass over traditional distance and time barriers.

  To that end, we are not constrained by tourism and agriculture as the dominant sectors. We could move to a more flexible work model that involved more digital working over the winter months and supporting the traditional economies in the summer.

  There is a real chance to explore this vision of a future that could help us be more sustainable as well as contributing to wider societal issues.

  Emphasis on training & development, digital access and an integrated approach to all of the residents and visitors to Cornwall - even if only from over the Tamar in England.

  Things to support that:

  • Policies that put digital & sustainability first
  • Lobbying to secure regional development for the inevitable city migrants
  • Integrated infrastructure - both physical and digital
  • Review every service and explore radically different ways of delivering them
  • Invest in education, including the use of the hidden knowledge base that exists in our communities
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  Lets praise cyclist

  by Toby, over 6 years ago

  Bicycles are clean quiet and cheap to run. Just for awhile during lock down the roads were quiet and safer than they have ever been for those on two wheels. As traffic has increased the old ways have come back with less consideration and more haste.

  Cycles don't cause congestion motor transport does that, if you do not want us on the roads then make sure there are cycle lanes everywhere. Cornwall is a hard place to cycle with all its hills, but dedicated cycle lanes will at least keep us safe.

  If we really want a cleaner and greener... Continue reading

  Bicycles are clean quiet and cheap to run. Just for awhile during lock down the roads were quiet and safer than they have ever been for those on two wheels. As traffic has increased the old ways have come back with less consideration and more haste.

  Cycles don't cause congestion motor transport does that, if you do not want us on the roads then make sure there are cycle lanes everywhere. Cornwall is a hard place to cycle with all its hills, but dedicated cycle lanes will at least keep us safe.

  If we really want a cleaner and greener Cornwall then we have to reduce those that pollute and encourage those that don't.
• Share Be less reliant on Tourism on Facebook Share Be less reliant on Tourism on X (formerly Twitter) Share Be less reliant on Tourism on Linkedin Email Be less reliant on Tourism link

  Be less reliant on Tourism

  over 6 years ago

  It is time that Cornwall became less reliant on toursim otherwise we become more vulnerable in circumstances such as Covid. Having c 60% of your economy based on tourism is suicide.

  July the 4th will see a Tsunami of visitors ignoring self distancing, bringing Covid to Cornwall, grid locking roads etc. etc.

  I realise that current businesses need then but we should plan to rely less on them.

  
  

  Remember we live here we are not DisneyWorld we are a community and we need proper sustainable industry not just tourists. I think like so many countries I have visisted there should... Continue reading

  It is time that Cornwall became less reliant on toursim otherwise we become more vulnerable in circumstances such as Covid. Having c 60% of your economy based on tourism is suicide.

  July the 4th will see a Tsunami of visitors ignoring self distancing, bringing Covid to Cornwall, grid locking roads etc. etc.

  I realise that current businesses need then but we should plan to rely less on them.

  
  

  Remember we live here we are not DisneyWorld we are a community and we need proper sustainable industry not just tourists. I think like so many countries I have visisted there should be a tourist tax. This would be added to Hotel bill or nightly fee on campsites. This could go towards building a more sustainable economy for Cornwall.
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  Wildlife Abundance

  over 6 years ago

  During the initial lockdown when the roads and streets were devoid of traffic and humans, wildlife made the most of it and moved about without fear of these two threats. There was a significant reduction of dead animals on the roads! Nature was at its best and it took me back to when I was a child growing up in the 1960's, when there wasn't the amount of traffic we have now and vehicles weren't built to be killing machines at high speed! I live on a busy A road and the lack of traffic was astounding, I actually heard... Continue reading

  During the initial lockdown when the roads and streets were devoid of traffic and humans, wildlife made the most of it and moved about without fear of these two threats. There was a significant reduction of dead animals on the roads! Nature was at its best and it took me back to when I was a child growing up in the 1960's, when there wasn't the amount of traffic we have now and vehicles weren't built to be killing machines at high speed! I live on a busy A road and the lack of traffic was astounding, I actually heard bird song for the first time on that street, and could actually cross it without fear of being mown down! You could say that myself and wildlife are at one!

  
  

  
  
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  No more cycles!

  by robertC, over 6 years ago

  Please no more cycles on our roads and lanes - they are dangerous and cause major congestion - they need dedicated tracks/lanes.

  Please no more cycles on our roads and lanes - they are dangerous and cause major congestion - they need dedicated tracks/lanes.
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  Dangerous delusions

  by Realist, over 6 years ago

  Too many of these posts hanker after a return to post-WW2 rural life, without tourists and second home owners. This is dangerously delusional. The Council can pander to these populist views or provide realism and help enable a better economic environment.
  
  

  This pre-lockdown Guardian article https://amp.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/04/levelling-up-britain-why-cornwall-needs-more-than-just-tourism

  Covers the issues well. If Cornwall wants to diversify away from tourism, that so many posters on here seem to complain about, and it wants to foster a manufacturing base then It needs to improve its connectivity to the rest of the UK by upgrading the A30 to a motorway from Exeter all the... Continue reading

  Too many of these posts hanker after a return to post-WW2 rural life, without tourists and second home owners. This is dangerously delusional. The Council can pander to these populist views or provide realism and help enable a better economic environment.
  
  

  This pre-lockdown Guardian article https://amp.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/04/levelling-up-britain-why-cornwall-needs-more-than-just-tourism

  Covers the issues well. If Cornwall wants to diversify away from tourism, that so many posters on here seem to complain about, and it wants to foster a manufacturing base then It needs to improve its connectivity to the rest of the UK by upgrading the A30 to a motorway from Exeter all the way to Penzance and it needs to install a fast intercity rail line alongside it. Massive cost and massive disruption- Will the locals allow that even if the rest of the country subsidises it?

  Otherwise it needs to use its fading broadband advantage by studying digital-friendly skill sets in its schools and colleges. Lockdown has shown us just how much can be achieved online/working remotely away from an office. As everywhere, educational attainment is the path to prosperity (though the fact that physical communications with the rest of the U.K. are so poor doesn’t help). Parents need to break the poverty cycle by providing discipline at home and support for teachers in school to get the best out of those in school. If a child is disruptive at school they lower their own attainment and those of their classmates. Poorly educated parents tend to block such school discipline and fail to provide it at home and so the cycle perpetuates. The economically deprived county needs to help itself break the cycle. Tough but possible.

  Cornwall needs to foster the greener economy and greener tourism. One small but visible sign that this is not happening are the lack of electric charging points across council CarParks to encourage the use of electric vehicles - less noise, zero tailpipe emissions! I am sure many of the charging networks would love to partner with the council to do this at little or no cost to the council!

  Second homes that are rented out provide for greater economic impact than those that are not but those that are not rented out pay council tax subsiding local residents because such second home owners use less local services. When second homes are rented out they bring much greater spending power to the local economy than the average local resident. However, many of these homes are registered as businesses and thus do not pay council tax and business turnover isn’t large enough to pay business rates to offset this. This needs to change. All homes should pay council tax or business rates of a similar level per household.

  The council needs to stop giving a platform to the delusional who view outsiders as the problem and use its resources and powers to foster better integration with the national economy and maximising greener tourism making Cornwall a haven for such an industry that is the biggest segment of the local economy.