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Subsection

Trevelgue Head to Stepper Point PDZ13

The Trevelgue Head to Stepper Point Subsection is split into 12 areas. Their boundaries have been set based on analysis of coastal processes and the character of the shoreline. Select an area to find out more information about it.

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General actions for this subsection

There are no actions generic to the whole of this subsection. For actions relating to specific locations, select an area on the map above or use the postcode/location search and click on the Action Plan tab.

All actions are subject to funding and approval, often by other parties than the Lead Organisation shown.

Download SMP documents

The information on this website represents the current SMP management approaches adopted by the local authorities within its area, and current actions needed to deliver them. These management approaches have been approved by the Environment Agency under its Strategic Overview for coastal flood and erosion risk management and are considered to be local policy.

The documents below provide the full SMP adopted locally and approved by the Environment Agency at the time of publication. Some of the information has changed in response to new government policy, new evidence or new work identified.

Data on this page

Main report

Appendices

Summaries

Supporting documents

About this subsection

This sub-section of the SMP comprises around 35km of open coast along the mid-north coast of Cornwall. It is split into 12 smaller local shoreline management units.

This stretch of coastline starts at Porth Island and continues around Trevose Head to finish at Stepper Point at the mouth of the Camel Estuary. Its north-west aspect dictates it is very exposed to the energetic Atlantic westerly wave climate and weather systems. Long stretches of rocky slate cliffs dominate, together with extensive sandy beaches at Watergate Bay, Mawgan Porth, Porthcothan, Treyarnon, Constantine and Booby’s Bay, Harlyn, Mother Ivey’s Bay and Trevone. Cross-shore processes dominate due to the generally shore-aligned angle of wave approach and therefore alongshore transport and sediment links between the separate bays is limited.

It is a less busy and touristic area than Newquay to the south, although settlements such as Mawgan Porth still attract significant numbers of visitors. The area is sparsely populated, with agricultural grassland dominating the cliff tops. Minor roads criss-cross the cliff tops linking hamlets and villages. Bedruthan Steps, owned by the National Trust is a visitor attraction of significance in this area and has associated landscape designations. The Watergate Bay Hotel is recognised as being important to the local economy.

Flooding and erosion combine along this stretch of coastline to create a mixed picture of coastal risk. The unstable slate cliffs throughout Watergate Bay (from Whipsiderry through to Beryl’s Point) experience instability in discrete areas, with voids and caves common features at beach level, creating unstable overhangs, and in turn collapses and slips of upper cliff face. Flood risks exist in the lower-lying settlements established adjacent to the small rivers which discharge onto beaches, most notable at Mawgan Porth

Defences in this area are few, most of the coastline being entirely undefended, but there are small sections of defence at Watergate Bay Hotel, Mawgan Porth, Constantine Bay and Trevone.

Much of the coastal environment, landscape and heritage is legally protected under national and international designations. The strategic objectives for this sub-section are to allow the natural evolution of the coast, while recognising the need to support the adaptation and resilience of the coastal settlements. Continuing to support the recreational and amenity value of the coast is an important part of this intent, but it cannot dictate the long-term shoreline position where a more sustainable realignment is desirable.

The National Heritage Coast objectives are felt to appropriately define the key values and management principles. In summary these are to conserve the natural environment, facilitate the public’s enjoyment and appreciation of the area, maintain the health of the inshore waters and beaches, and to take account of the needs of agriculture and fishing, and of the economic and social needs of the small communities.

It is intended that broadly speaking, the management intents for each of the smaller units contained within this sub-section should, alongside their primary purpose of describing a locally sustainable approach for each individual location, work together in combination, to enable delivery of these strategic objectives for the wider area.