Local residents living near one of Britain’s most picturesque beaches have vented their fury over the actions of the local council – who they claim are using its pristine white sand to sell for profit.
Residents and holidaymakers in Hayle, Cornwall, are unhappy over the actions of the local authority, with some even labelling their antics as ‘disgusting’.
Sophie Daniels, who lives in the area, started the petition because she felt that the sand is being ‘mined for profit’ and ‘sold with no thought of the environmental repercussions’.
However, authorities say that the sand sold to local firms is being dredged as part of a legal requirement to keep ‘a safe channel for fishing and sailing boats to navigate’.
Ms Daniels said: ‘In recent times, our once tranquil beach is suffering as tonnes of sand are [being] removed day and night, sold for profit with no thought of the environmental repercussions.
Residents and holidaymakers in Hayle, Cornwall, say tonnes of sand has been taken from the beach ‘day and night’
When MailOnline visited this week, we witnessed giant diggers scoop up tonnes of sand from the shore before loading it into large earth moving equipment
A petition demanding an immediate stop to mining operations on Hayle Beach – named the best in the UK by the Sunday Times – has already received nearly 2,000 signatures
‘Authorities justify the mining, claiming it is necessary for keeping the channel clear for fishermen.
‘But the reality is clearly different. Excavation is taking place on the beach, far from the central channel they declare to keep clear.’
‘The beach is suffering as tonnes of sand is removed day and night, sold for profit with no thought of the environmental repercussions.
Deborah Phillips, 58, a care support worker from nearby Helston said: ‘It is pretty outrageous but I am sure it all comes down to money.
‘I don’t think they will listen to the petition. This is greed over people once again but the people behind it don’t care, they are not bothered about the families who have been coming here for their entire lives
‘What unintended environmental consequences is it going to cause in years to come?
The petition demanding an immediate stop to mining operations on Hayle Beach has already received nearly 2,000 signatures.
When MailOnline visited this week, we witnessed giant diggers scoop up tonnes of sand from the shore before loading it into large earth moving equipment.
Locals Margaret Abbotts (left) and Deborah Phillips (right) have said said: ‘The beach is for everybody and it should not be sold’ and ‘it all comes down to money’
Holidaymaker Terry Soar from Nottingham said: ‘I think it’s disgusting’
Authorities say the sand is sold to local firms but is only being dredged as part of a legal requirement to keep ‘a safe channel for fishing and sailing boats to navigate’
Outraged local residents who signed the petition complained of late night excavation operations causing disturbance and accused authorities of doing ‘environmental damage’ and ‘stealing’ sand from the beach
‘Our plea is simple: cease the sand mining immediately.’
Outraged local residents who signed the petition complained of late night excavation operations causing disturbance and accused authorities of doing ‘environmental damage’ and ‘stealing’ sand from the beach rather than dredging the channel.
The beautiful coastal town of Hayle sits just five miles from St Ives on Cornwall’s north coast and boasts over three miles of unspoiled coastline.
Now a popular tourist destination, it was the most important mining port and home to the biggest steam engine manufacturers in the world in the early 1800s.
Holidaymakers Terry and Lynn Soar from Nottingham have been regular visitors for over a decade.
Mr Soar said: ‘I think it’s disgusting they are taking the sand and selling it.
‘Hayle Beach is what makes the whole town, it is lovely golden sand and it is completely unspoiled.
‘I think it’s a really stupid move because holidaymakers are a really important part of Cornwall’s economy and a lot of those people are coming for the beautiful beaches.
‘If you lose them people won’t come.’
The beautiful coastal town of Hayle sits just five miles from St Ives on Cornwall’s north coast and boasts over three miles of unspoiled coastline
Now a popular tourist destination, it was the most important mining port and home to the biggest steam engine manufacturers in the world in the early 1800s
Mrs Soar added: ‘I can’t imagine what harm it is doing to marine life that might not come back.’
Lifelong Hayle resident Margaret Abbotts, 59, said: ‘Dredging the channel is something they have to do to keep it clear and some people in this town get on their high horse about it.
‘It is a shame any dredging is needed but if it protects the livelihoods of the fishermen who use the channel then I think it is necessary.
‘But I am not happy if the beach is being dug up and sold. I have grown up visiting it over the years and everybody can see the changes over the years.
‘The beach is for everybody and it should not be sold.’
Peter Haddock, Hayle harbourmaster, told Cornwall Live: ‘Regular dredging is needed in four areas at Hayle Harbour to provide a safe channel for fishing and sailing boats to navigate.
‘Dredging also maximises the flow of the tide to naturally flush the channel, maintaining the estuary’s ecosystem as well as contributing towards managing flood risk.
‘Hayle Harbour Authority is responsible for regular dredging under The Hayle Harbour Act 1989.
‘Dredged sand is sold to local business, Padstow Sea Sand and Aggregate Ltd.’
Peter Haddock, Hayle harbourmaster, told Cornwall Live: ‘Regular dredging is needed in four areas at Hayle Harbour to provide a safe channel for fishing and sailing boats to navigate
A spokesperson for Hayle Town Council said a full council meeting was held on September 5.
Cornwall Live reports during the meeting ‘updates were received from the harbourmaster on behalf of Hayle Harbour Authority and representatives of the North Quay Development, who own and are responsible for that area’.
It was confirmed that dredging in accordance with the 1989 Hayle Harbour Act is permitted and that the amount of sand ‘removed from the channel is logged and closely monitored’.
In a post shared on Facebook, the spokesperson said: ‘Councillors recognise the need for a safe navigable channel to access the harbour but ultimately, they also have grave concerns about the possible long-term damage to the local environment and ecology and believe that the reinstatement of a routine sluicing regime would be more beneficial, and acceptable to the Hayle community.
‘Hayle Town Council resolved to write to several stakeholders including Natural England, RSPB, Environment Agency, Cornwall Council and the local MP, Perran Moon, to advise them of the potential damage of the dredging, to seek their views, to share any information they may have including environmental reports, monitoring assessments, geomorphology reports and to work with us to help find a positive resolution to suit/benefit all parties and St Ives Bay.
‘It was further agreed to write to the owners and the harbourmaster to request that they change from a dredge and remove policy to dredge and dune replenishment, and that they look to find ways to repair and/or automate the gates and equipment in order to reinstate sluicing.’
