Residents march to Cornish castle in protest of camera and payment machine at beach car park

Protesters marched on a Cornish castle at the weekend in an ongoing bid to stop a Cornish landowner installing an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) car park at an isolated beach.

Residents on the Roseland Peninsula have been battling plans by the Caerhays Estate to put a camera and payment machine at what has previously been a free car park at West Portholland.

The long-standing issue looked to be solved to the satisfaction of residents last June when a planning application was refused by a Cornwall Council committee.

However, the bid by Birmingham-based Initial Parking Ltd, on behalf of Caerhays, which owns the beach, was approved on appeal by a Bristol-based Government planning inspector in December.

In January a band of angry locals took to the beach armed with placards and signs stating “the peasants are revolting”, “feudal tyrant stealing common land” and “arrogance, ignorance and greed”.

They say they are prepared to do everything it takes to stop landowner Charles Williams – who oversees the Caerhays Estate – from installing the ANPR equipment.

On Sunday (March 2) the growing protest group, which calls itself ‘Friends of Portholland against predatory and ugly parking operations’, delivered a 1,270-strong petition to the gates of nearby Caerhays Castle, a mansion built in 1805, which is owned by Mr Williams.

Protester Kezia Bennett told us: “We were intercepted by security and staff and were unable to get up the drive despite the castle being open to the public.

"We were told we would ruin their enjoyment despite us being a peaceful, good-natured but passionate group of families and OAPs, including a doctor, teachers and those from all walks of life.

“So we stood at the gate instead. We handed out 70 flyers, so should have printed more.

"Members of the public were supportive of us and onside.

"We’ve asked for receipt of the petition which we delivered to the estate’s head gardener Jaime Parsons who doubles up as their estate manager.

"Maybe, finally, the trustees and Mr Williams will acknowledge us after years of silence. Maybe not.

"As a landowner and as a trusteeship they are happy to take taxpayers’ money in the form of grants, subsidies and tax breaks but unwilling to engage with the public?”

She added: “If we hear nothing within ten days we’ll be back and next time we will be publicly promoting it.

"This protest was by private invitation in the hopes we would be able to walk up the castle drive and deliver our petition directly to the castle.

“They can literally shut us out at the castle gates but we will still make our voices heard and our presence known.

"Afterwards some of us went to West Portholland with our placards and enjoyed a picnic with cinnamon buns provided by a supportive local bakery.”

The Caerhays Estate has not responded to a request for a response to the protest.

You can see the protest group’s petition here.