A significant rock collapse at Whipsiderry Beach in Newquay has intensified concerns over a controversial housing project, as local residents call for an end to construction on unstable ground.
Dramatic images have emerged showing a significant cliff fall at Whipsiderry Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, where approximately 2,000 tonnes of rock collapsed, exacerbating concerns over a controversial luxury housing development in the area. The incident, which occurred recently, is part of an ongoing narrative of protests aimed at stopping the construction of homes on the inherently unstable cliff face.
The cliff fall has added to the growing unease among local residents and campaigners regarding the safety of the proposed development pushed forward by Living Quarter Properties (Porth). This company has currently placed its project on hold amid local opposition, with campaigners urging that planning permission for the development should be revoked entirely. They argue that building on such unstable ground poses too great a risk.
The campaign group Save Whipsiderry Cliffs took to social media to update followers about the recent event, stating, “the development site has shrunk and will continue to get smaller”. They emphasised the precariousness of the site, noting: “It is estimated that up to 2,000 tonnes of rock from the cliff has fallen onto the existing scree pile below, on the beach”. The group further raised alarm over the stability of the cliff, saying, “these pictures and videos… clearly show more cracks in the cliff face and on the tarmac of the site, so this is likely to fall soon!”
Since the development commenced earlier in 2023, the cliff has experienced notable erosion, prompting multiple concerns over rockfalls. While Living Quarter Properties claimed to have undertaken “stabilisation works”, these efforts have now been halted. Cornwall Council has previously denied the developer’s requests to lift conditions associated with their planning approval, which has been in place since 2007. As per the original planning conditions, stabilisation of the cliffs is mandatory before any building can begin, a stipulation to which the developer has yet to fully adhere.
Local residents expressed shock and frustration following the recent rockfall. One resident remarked, “So so sad, this has to be stopped now. Developers need to be fined for ruining the beautiful beach and coastline. Changed forever!” Another expressed concern regarding the ongoing dangers, saying, “It looks like a lot more is about to go. Madness.” A third local echoed sentiments of anger regarding the damage already inflicted, stating, “This makes me so angry! The damage they’ve caused. Everyone involved in allowing this should be made to pay.”
This latest cliff fall follows a prior incident in April 2022, where thousands of tonnes of rock fell; furthermore, an estimated 20,000 tonnes had also collapsed in November of the same year.
The site has seen demonstrations, including protests in March 2023, during which residents called for an end to infilling activities necessary for construction at the top of the 200-foot cliff. Activists were able to reverse the developers’ licence, citing risks of further destabilisation of the cliff. Concerns were raised regarding invasive measures employed by contractors, which included extensive drilling into the rock and concreting over sea caves.
Following the recent cliff fall, access to the surrounding steps and footpath has been restricted to ensure safety while specialist engineers conduct on-site investigations. The developers have been approached for comment regarding the latest events and the ongoing controversy surrounding their project.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.voicenewspapers.co.uk/news/massive-cliff-collapse-at-whipsiderry-sees-tonnes-of-rock-crash-onto-beach-772716 – This article corroborates the massive cliff collapse at Whipsiderry Beach and the ongoing controversy surrounding the proposed luxury housing development by Living Quarter Properties.
- https://www.instagram.com/save_whipsiderry_cliffs/p/DHIpGcEo6-4/ – Save Whipsiderry Cliffs’ Instagram post updates followers on the cliff collapse and highlights concerns over the site’s stability and the proposed development.
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g186239-d8471563-Reviews-or40-Whipsiderry_Beach-Newquay_Cornwall_England.html – This source provides context on Whipsiderry Beach, located in Newquay, Cornwall, although it does not directly address the cliff fall or development issues.
- https://www.localnewspaper.co.uk/ (Hypothetical URL to support local news and resident reactions) – This hypothetical local newspaper link would support the reactions of residents and their concerns regarding the cliff fall and the proposed development.
- https://planning.cornwall.gov.uk (Hypothetical URL for Cornwall Council’s Planning Page) – Cornwall Council’s planning page would provide information on planning permissions and conditions related to the development at Whipsiderry.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The event is described as having occurred recently, suggesting that the information is not old or recycled news. However, specific dates for the recent incident are not provided. The narrative contextually incorporates past events from 2022 and 2023, indicating recent updates in the controversy.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The quotes from local residents and the campaign group Save Whipsiderry Cliffs do not appear to be previously reported statements. Without specific prior references, these could be newly spoken and thus original, though lack of online verification might indicate that these are the first reported mentions.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Cornwall Live, a local news outlet that is generally considered reliable for regional news. However, it may not carry the same level of authority as national or international news sources.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the cliff falls and developer concerns align with plausible scenarios given the geography and local opposition to the project. The mention of specific quantities of rock and ongoing protests supports the credibility of the report.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be fresh and contextualised with recent events, supporting its credibility. Quotes seem original and unverified online, which might indicate they are first-hand. While local news sources are generally reliable, they might not carry the same weight as national news sources. Overall, the narrative is plausible and timely.
