Angry residents are campaigning to stop sand being take from ‘Britain’s best beach’ – and being sold for profit.
Locals say the once tranquil sands of Hayle in Cornwall have seen tonnes of sand removed ‘day and night with no thought for the environmental repercussions’.
Resident Sophie Daniels has launched a petition on change.org pleading for the sand removal to cease immediately. It has so far reached 1,689 signatures of its 2,500 target.
Ms Daniels says her roots are deeply ingrained in Hayle Beach where she grew up and witnessed the rich bio-diversity of the local ecosystem.
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’.
But Ms Daniels says the sand is being ‘mined for profit’ and is calling on the community to act and stop the once-tranquil beach from being destroyed any further.
Her petition states;: ‘Hayle Beach, a gem of Cornwall and voted Best Beach in the UK by The Times, deserves to be protected and nurtured, not exploited.
‘The beach is suffering as tonnes of sand is removed day and night, sold for profit with no thought of the environmental repercussion.
‘Our plea is simple: cease the sand mining immediately.
‘This isn’t merely about preserving our beach for recreational purposes, it’s about safeguarding our ecosystem, our local community, and our future.’
Ms Daniels argues these works pose a ‘serious threat’ to the environment.
She adds: ‘The often cited study in the Journal of Coastal Research has consistently shown that sand mining impacts coastal and marine biodiversity and flood defences.
‘This is an important area not just for me but for the entire community of Cornwall.
‘In recent times, our once tranquil beach is suffering as tonnes of sand are removed day and night, sold for profit with no thought of the environmental repercussions.
‘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.’
Authorities have argued the dredging is required to keep the channel clear for fishing.
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 Seasand and Aggregate Ltd.
‘Typically sand is used in the farming industry, but it is also used in construction, for textured paint, arts and crafts supplies, playgrounds and cat litter.
‘Proceeds from the sale of sand is reinvested back into harbour to support the costs of maintaining and operating the harbour.’
But Ms Daniels argues: ‘Dredging would be to remove sand and silt from the river bed.
But what is happening is sand being dug up from alongside the river.
‘I’ve spoken to fishermen who say where the authorities are digging from is making no difference to the channels navigability at all.
‘They won’t say this to the harbourmaster or land owners as their livelihoods rely on moorings from the people authorising the digging!’
‘Excavation is taking place on the beach, far from the central channel they declare to keep clear.
‘The ill effects of this relentless mining are evident.
‘Night-time operations disrupt peace, and the incessant excavation poses a risk to our children’s safety on the beach.’
Thousands have responded to the petition, calling for the authority to halt the works.
Emily Brown said: ‘I have had enough of watching our land and seas tampered with the point of a mass decline of wildlife in an area that should be protected and a safe haven.
‘We are losing so much to greed and this needs to change now, not in 10, 20 or 50 years. NOW!’
Ms Daniels added: ‘My roots are deeply ingrained in this beautiful place we call Hayle Beach.
‘I grew up here and witnessed the rich bio-diversity of our local ecosystem.
‘This is an important area not just for me but for the entire community of Cornwall.’
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 harbour master 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 harbour master 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.’