Mawgan-in-Pydar Neighbourhood Plan

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Analysis of Resident Feedback - St Mawgan in Pydar NDP, Reg 14 Consultation

Overall, resident comments show that the draft Plan is widely seen as a serious and well thought through attempt to protect the Parish from harmful change, while still making provision for local needs.

A number of recurring issues run across several themes, particularly:

concern about flooding, sewage and drainage capacity,
the need for genuinely affordable homes for local people,
concern over second homes, holiday use and very large replacement dwellings,
strong support for protecting landscape, local character and biodiversity,
concern that community facilities are interdependent and need to be retained together,
concern that infrastructure and services are already under pressure.

Across all themes, there was a high level of support for the draft Plan. Agreement was particularly strong for the Vision and Objectives, Flooding, Housing, Economy and Employment, and Heritage and Design themes, each attracting around 92 to 95 percent agreement.

Residents were strongly supportive of the overall Vision and Objectives. Many comments said the draft Plan strikes the right balance between protecting the Parish’s character and meeting local needs. It was seen as reflecting community concerns and providing a sensible framework for the future.

The Vision and Objectives are very strongly supported. The main issues raised are not objections to the direction of the Plan, but requests for greater clarity, stronger treatment of infrastructure pressures, and refinement of some place-specific points.

Flooding, Coastal Erosion and Climate Change is one of the strongest areas of support in the survey. Residents clearly regard flooding, sewage overload, drainage failure and coastal change as major live issues, especially in Mawgan Porth, but also with wider implications for the Parish. Comments refer to recent flooding events, sewage failures near the village hall and car park, floodplain concerns, and the cumulative consequences of past development not being matched by infrastructure investment.

Residents view this as an essential theme of the Plan. Support is very high, and comments generally press for the policies to be as robust and practical as possible, especially in relation to sewerage, drainage, water quality and natural flood management.

Housing policies received very strong support. The clearest message is that residents want housing that meets local need, especially genuinely affordable housing, while resisting forms of development seen as damaging to community balance and local character.

Residents are strongly supportive of the housing theme, provided it remains firmly focused on local need, affordability, proportionate scale, and protection against overdevelopment and infrastructure overload.

The Economy and Employment theme shows strong support for protecting employment land and supporting local businesses, especially where this can strengthen the year-round economy. Residents generally favour a small scale and sensitive approach to employment growth, consistent with the Parish’s rural character and road constraints.

Some comments linked employment directly to housing, noting that the local economy depends on people being able to live locally. Others suggested local employers should be encouraged to prioritise parish residents, or that better information should be shared on reliable mobile and broadband providers.

The Heritage, Cornish Distinctiveness and Design theme attracted very strong support. Residents place high importance on protecting the historic character of the Parish, conserving Cornish hedges and green spaces, and ensuring that new development is designed to fit its setting.

This is one of the most strongly supported parts of the Plan. Residents want robust and effective design policies that can prevent further erosion of local distinctiveness, especially in Trenance and Mawgan Porth.

Support is still strong for the Community Facilities and Infrastructure theme, but this theme generated more qualification and uncertainty than the others. Residents clearly value local facilities, but there was more debate about how realistic it is to safeguard them, how public transport can be improved, and the draft policy approach to the future of the school.

Residents support the protection of facilities and amenities, but this theme needs careful consideration around the school, transport, healthcare access, and the need to explain how facility policies are expected to work in practice.

Responses for the Natural Environment and Landscape theme showed residents are strongly supportive of the landscape and natural environment policies. Many comments suggest that this lies at the heart of why people value living in the Parish, and why visitors are drawn to it. There is strong support for protecting landscape quality, biodiversity, dark skies, tranquillity, trees, hedges, and the coastal environment.

Residents strongly back this theme. Most comments support the direction of policy, with objections focused mainly on specific site designations and mapping accuracy rather than the principle of environmental protection.

Responses to the final open question largely reinforced the main themes already raised. Many residents thanked the Parish Council and those involved for the work undertaken, and expressed support for the Plan as a necessary way for the community to influence future development.

The full report is available below, with all the individual responses received – these have been anonymised by allocating a number to each respondent.

Mawgan In Pydar Neighbourhood Plan Introduction to the Evidence Base

Mawgan In Pydar Neighbourhood Plan Final Design Guide

Mawgan In Pydar Neighbourhood Plan Sustainability Checklist

Mawgan In Pydar Neighbourhood Plan Local Green Space Assessment

ABOUT

Vision

The parish of Mawgan-in-Pydar will remain a thriving, resilient, and inclusive community, celebrated for its rich heritage, welcoming atmosphere, and forward-thinking approach. It will continue to provide a safe and supportive environment for
residents, workers, business owners, and visitors, ensuring it remains a highly desirable place to live, work, and visit for generations to come.

Our objectives:

Housing
Provide Affordable Housing Options:
Ensure a variety of affordable housing choices through small developments that align with the local scale and character and meet the needs of the local community, enabling local people to live within their home parish.
Promote Locally Distinctive Design: Advocate for housing designs that respect the surrounding environment, reflect the area's character, and, where feasible, incorporate natural and locally sourced materials.

Natural Environment
Support Sustainable Development: Prioritise environmentally sustainable practices and biodiversity conservation in all planning and development decisions.
Protect Natural Areas: Ensure that all development conserves the natural environment and avoids encroachment on floodplains, coastal areas, and cliffs.

Historic Environment
Preserve and Enhance Local Character: Protect and enhance the architectural and historic character of the area while promoting high-quality design in all development and changes within the plan area.

Climate Change
Acknowledge Climate Change Vulnerability: Recognise Mawgan Porths' susceptibility to climate change impacts, including rising sea levels and natural cliff and coastal erosion, in all planning decisions.
Address Causes and Impacts: Develop and implement strategies to tackle the causes of climate change and adapt to its effects, focusing on long-term resilience and coastal protection.

Economy
Preserve Mawgan Porths Character: Maintain the unspoiled, family-friendly nature of Mawgan Porth as a coastal resort, ensuring a balance between tourism, the needs of the year-round local community, environmental sustainability, and the area's unique sense of place.
Support Economic Growth: Promote a diverse and thriving local economy by enhancing employment opportunities and supporting businesses at all stages, from start-ups to established enterprises.

Community Services and facilities

Enhance Public Services: Protect and improve public services, including better public transport links, access to local medical facilities, and support for community-focused businesses.
Modernise Educational Facilities: Ensure that educational facilities meet contemporary standards while preserving the parish's rural character and addressing environmental concerns.

Strengthen Community Connections: Foster stronger community bonds by enhancing local amenities, promoting regular local produce markets, and encouraging greater self-sufficiency to reduce dependence on distant urban centers.
Ensure Adequate Infrastructure: Require that infrastructure for drainage, surface water disposal, and sewage is fully in place and capable of supporting new development before it is approved, to safeguard the local environment.

St Mawgan Neighbourhood Plan Business Survey Analysis

The Neighbourhood Plan group ran a survey for local businesses during autumn 2024. The results have now been analysed and these are summarised here.

How long has your business been operating in St Mawgan in Pydar?

The majority of respondents (two-thirds) have operated in St Mawgan in Pydar for more than 10 years (66.67%). Over a quarter (26.67%) have been there 1–5 years, while 6.67% have operated 6– 10 years. No respondents indicated that they had been in business for less than a year.

Which sector best describes your business?

Nearly half of respondents (46.67%) operate in Hospitality/Tourism, while one-third (33.33%) identified as Other, which includes a mix of services such as administration/tech support, charity, a combined hospitality and farming venture, building contracting, and dog walking. Smaller segments (6.67% each) are in Agriculture/Farming, Retail, and Professional Services/Manufacturing.

How many employees does your business have?

From the responses, 37.5% of businesses are solo operators with no employees. Around 31.25% have between 1 and 5 employees, and 25% employ 6 to 20 staff. No respondents fall into the 21–50 range, while 6.25% have more than 50 employees.

On a scale of 1-5 (1 being very poor, 5 being excellent), how would you rate St Mawgan in Pydar as a place to run a business?

A clear majority of respondents rated St Mawgan in Pydar positively as a place to run a business, with 60% giving it a 4 and 20% a top score of 5. Only 13.33% selected 2, and 6.67% gave it a neutral 3. No one rated the area as very poor.

What do you like most about running a business in St Mawgan in Pydar?

Overall, respondents emphasized St Mawgan in Pydar’s tight-knit and supportive community, with many citing close personal ties—having grown up in the area or having family nearby—as a major draw. They also highlighted the region’s natural beauty, with easy access to both countryside and coast, and appreciated the proximity of the airport. Several noted a strong local network of small, independent businesses that foster a circular economy. The sense of collaboration, diverse customer base, and the area’s surroundings—woodland walks, beach access, and rural charm—were consistently praised as key benefits of running a business there.

What are the main challenges you face in running a business here?

Respondents identified several recurring challenges:

• Infrastructure Issues: Chief among these are unreliable, slow, or nonexistent broadband and poor mobile phone signals. Some also struggle with water pressure problems during peak holiday seasons.

• Seasonality & Tourism: Many businesses rely on the tourist market, which can lead to quiet off-seasons, inconsistent demand, and difficulties in staff recruitment—especially as local housing shortages and rising costs make it hard for seasonal workers to stay in the area.

• Economic Pressures & Competition: A drop in tourism, tight personal budgets among visitors, and increased competition (such as Airbnb and second homes) create financial strain. Coupled with rising staff wages, it becomes harder to stay profitable.

• Local Services & Workforce: Recruiting tradespeople and accessing collaborative workspaces can be challenging. Fewer full-time residents mean a smaller local customer base, compounding the inconsistency of income.

• Location & Transport: Public transport limitations and the remote location can limit ease of access for both customers and employees

Which of the following local factors are important to your business?

The most frequently chosen local factor was the natural environment/scenery (73.33%), followed by local community support (66.67%) and access to a skilled workforce (53.33%). Transport links and tourism both garnered 46.67%, while proximity to customers was selected by 26.67%. An additional 20% cited other factors such as sustainability, weather, and concerns about basic business survival.

Do you have enough workspace to operate efficiently?

The majority of respondents (66.67%) responded ‘Yes’, indicating that they do have sufficient workspace, whilst 33.33% responded ‘No’. None were unsure.

Do you have enough parking space for your business needs?

Most respondents (73.33%) feel they have sufficient parking for their business, whereas 26.67% do not have enough parking space. None were unsure.

Do you think renewable energy provision is important for the future of your business premises?

The majority (60%) believe that renewable energy provision is important for their future business premises, while a third (33.33%) do not, and 6.67% are unsure.

Do you think second homes and holiday homes are important to the success of your business?

The overwhelming majority (86.67%) do not view second/holiday homes as important to their success, with only 13.33% saying they are, and none expressing uncertainty.

Is the local tourism industry important for your business?

A large majority (86.67%) consider the local tourism industry important for their business, while 13.33% do not. None are unsure.

Are transport / traffic issues causing problems to your business?

A slight majority (53.33%) indicate that transport or traffic issues do cause problems for their business, while 40% report no such issues, and 6.67% are unsure.

Does public transport support your business needs?

A large majority (80%) say public transport does not support their business needs, 13.33% feel it does, and 6.67% are unsure.

Is Internet connectivity an issue for your business?

Two-thirds (66.67%) report Internet connectivity as an issue, while a third (33.33%) do not. No respondents were unsure.

Would you be interested in having access to "gigafast" broadband (1 Gbps or faster)?

The majority (73.33%) would be interested in gigafast broadband, while 20% are not interested and 6.67% are unsure.

Do you have adequate workspace for your current business needs?

Two-thirds (66.67%) report having adequate workspace for their current needs, while one-third (33.33%) do not. No respondents were unsure.

If you answered 'No' to the previous question, what type of additional space would be most beneficial?

Among those who lack adequate workspace, 20% specifically need workshop/industrial space, while the remaining 80% selected ‘Other’—indicating a variety of additional requirements beyond the predefined options.

These included:

• Office space (with hot desks and collaborative/meeting areas)

• Retail space

• Storage space

• Parking

• Dedicated facilities for customers and staff to change and store belongings

Do you expect your business to grow in the next 5 years?

Just over half (53.33%) expect their business to grow in the next five years, while 20% do not and 26.67% are unsure.

If you expect growth, will you need to hire more employees?

Of those who anticipate growth, 45.45% plan to hire more employees, 27.27% do not foresee new hires, and 27.27% remain unsure.

How important are the following factors for your business's future success?

Based on respondents’ rankings, access to affordable housing for staff emerged as the top priority closely followed by access to a skilled local workforce. Next in importance were more business support services and improved transport infrastructure. Better digital connectivity also featured as a key concern, though it was given the lowest relative priority among the five factors.

Does your business currently implement any sustainability practices?

Out of 15 responses, the majority (9) indicated that they implement some sustainability practices, 3 do not, and 3 are unsure. Respondents highlighted a range of sustainability efforts, including formal sustainability policies with award recognition, the use of renewable energy (solar panels and battery storage), sourcing local and fair-trade products, and minimizing waste through recycling and eco-friendly practices. Some also emphasized shared transport, using recycled or re-purposed materials (e.g., boards and wetsuits), and reducing energy consumption wherever possible.

Are there any other issues or opportunities related to running a business in St Mawgan in Pydar that you'd like to mention?

Respondents raised several issues and opportunities:

• Parking Constraints: Limited parking options for customers, often occupied by non-customers, pose a significant challenge.

• Planning and Local Representation: Concerns that local input (e.g. Parish Council decisions) is not adequately considered in broader planning processes.

• Housing Affordability: Particularly for single-person households, housing costs are creating workforce and community challenges.

• Environmental and Infrastructure Risks: Flooding and water quality in the sea remain threats, alongside concerns about the impact of second homes being left empty instead of rented to tourists.

• Tourism Affordability: With camping and caravan sites disappearing, the area risks becoming less accessible to visitors on smaller budgets, potentially driving tourists elsewhere

Thank you to everyone who completed the survey.

Local Business Survey

Our Mawgan in Pydar Neighbourhood Plan is progressing well, we are continuing to work on the draft plan and we are receiving technical support to produce a Design Guide to inform new developments in the parish.
We are continuing to collect thoughts, views, and experiences from everyone living and working in the parish. Currently, we are running a brief business survey, which is open to everyone operating a business in the parish, whatever the business,
however large or small. So that includes self-employed people, small businesses, farms, leisure, and retail - in fact, anyone who runs a business located in the Parish or who lives in the Parish and runs a business from their home.
Your information, as a small business owner or self-employed person, is as important as the larger companies and hotels. We need to know your experience of running a business in Mawgan in Pydar, what are the benefits, what are the drawbacks and
what could be better. Your input is crucial for shaping the future of our parish. Thank you in advance for participating in this survey, which you can access online at:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HU0P1V/
If you’d like to hear more or get involved the Neighbourhood Plan meeting dates for November will be 14th and 28th, from 6 - 7 pm in St Mawgan Community Hall.

St Mawgan Parish Council Update

Regular Dreckly readers will remember the concerns raised by the residents about the speed of traffic through Trevarrian. As a result a number of traffic calming measures were implemented, after a successful bid by the Parish Council to the
Community Highways scheme. As well as the gateway signs that were installed there are now speed monitors there and at various other locations around the Parish.
One of the residents’ requests was for 20mph speed limits to reduce traffic speeds around the village. Cornwall Council is now in the process of rolling out its ’20 is plenty’ initiative at various locations around Cornwall and St Mawgan Parish is
one of the latest areas to be included. The proposed locations have been put out for
consultation, which commenced on October 9th, concluding on November 1st. Unfortunately the Parish Council was only notified of this on 7th October, so no time to give advance warning in Dreckly! However the PC have publicised it in other ways and it has been advertised in local press, so hopefully you were able to have your say.
We’ll have to wait and see the outcome of the consultation to find out where the 20mph restriction will be implemented.

Future of COrnwall Airport Newquay

Are you aware of the plans for the future of the Airport? Cornwall Council have been running a consultation during September - the deadline for feedback was 26th September. There were two public consultation events on 14th September, at the Truro Council offices and in Newquay Library. If you missed those you can still see what is being planned if you visit https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/airport.

Neighbourhood Plan Update

Last month we reported that there were 237 responses to the questionnaire. Of
these, 93% were in favour of developing a Neighbourhood Plan, only 2% were not
and 5% were unsure.
The rural nature of the parish was strongly valued by respondents, with features
such as wildlife and natural habitats, natural cliffs and coastline, clean rivers and
ponds scoring highly. People also valued open and green spaces, woods and
copses, trees and hedges.
The majority of respondents (95%) had concerns about housing development in the
parish, with damage to rural and coastal areas being their greatest concern. People
were also concerned about the pressure on local infrastructure such as roads, the
sewage network, schools and other facilities.
We’ll continue to provide updates in Dreckly, here on the website and on our social
media on Facebook and Instagram.