The “Making Space for Sand” project is out for consultation for the community of Polzeath. The Making Space for Sand project is an initiative in partnership with Cornwall Council’s Coastal Change Programme and the Environment Agency. This project takes a long term and proactive approach to safeguarding Polzeath against the growing impacts of coastal change and sea-level rise, with a focus on ecological restoration and sustainable adaptation.
Polzeath’s coastline, like much of Cornwall’s, is a sensitive and evolving environment facing accelerating change. Climate-driven factors—including stronger storms, heightened tides, and ongoing erosion—are reshaping our coast. Over the coming decades, sea-level rise projections indicate significant risks to critical infrastructure, notably Cornwall Council’s beach car park, a vital community and economic asset that is increasingly vulnerable to coastal flooding. Similarly, key facilities, including the Polzeath Surf Lifesaving Club and public amenities, are exposed to escalating risks due to their positioning along the shifting shoreline.
At the heart of this project is the Environment Agency’s “managed realignment” strategy, a forward-thinking approach to repositioning essential infrastructure to safer, more sustainable locations. Our plans include exploring Coronation Gardens and land south of the main road as potential sites for relocating these key assets. This strategy not only protects community infrastructure but also allows the natural coastline to adapt, fostering a healthier, more resilient environment that will better withstand future climate impacts.
We invite the community—residents, business owners, and visitors alike—to actively engage in shaping this vision for a resilient, and ecologically sound future for Polzeath.
Your insights are crucial to developing a future that balances community needs with environmental stewardship and respects Polzeath’s unique character, natural beauty and its heritage.
You can view the consultation boards below:
MS4S Public Consultation Boards
You can also complete the online survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Polzeath
