The entrance to the Lizard Point holiday park near Ruan Minor (Image: Google Maps)
A small village next to a popular holiday park has laid bare its fears over proposed layout amendments citing issues with “drug-taking, noise and vandalism.” Residents living near Lizard Point Holiday Park, a Parkdean resort in Cornwall, spoke about their concerns during a licensing meeting.
The park located at Penhale near Ruan Minor, and was subject of a review after bosses at the park submitted an application to Cornwall Council to modify its licence, which includes a new fish and chip shop, alcohol sale timings and the change of the premises name.
But the proposals ruffled feathers of neighbours living in a small hamlet right next to the site, with three residents speaking out against the plans at the committee meeting this week.
The committee was informed that the national holiday company wished to change the name of the site on the Lizard Peninsula from Lizard Point By Parkdean Resorts Complex to the more concise Lizard Point Holiday Park. They also proposed amendments to layout plans within the park and the addition of a fish and chip shop within the licensed area, which would sell alcohol until its closing time of 10.30pm seven days a week.
This represented a reduction in hours from an earlier request for a 1am licence. The application also included proposals for the sale of alcohol at indoor venues on the holiday park from Monday to Sunday, from 8am to 1am the following morning.
It also proposed the addition of indoor sporting events during the same hours and a New Year’s Eve extension, reports Cornwall Live.
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Lizard Point is a beauty spot in Cornwall with gorgeous beaches to its name (Image: Getty)
Jonathan Smith, solicitor for Parkdean, stated that these changes, along with the current licence to sell alcohol at outdoor areas until 11pm, did not constitute an extension in hours.
Local resident Mark Leath, who resides a mere 100 yards from the holiday park’s gates with his wife, voiced his grievances to the sub-committee. He highlighted the litter issue, pointing out rubbish at a nearby bus stop, including cups branded with Lizard Point, presumably left by the park’s visitors and staff.
Mr Leath also raised an alarm about drug use in a lane close to his home, allegedly by individuals staying at the holiday park. “We reported that to the general manager, so was that recorded?” he added.
“Were those people expelled from the park? Because the manager at the time said ‘yes, we know these people, we’ve been keeping an eye on them’.” He continued to express concerns over noise pollution, and added: “There is nothing between the entrance and our property apart from Cornish hedges.
“We get a lot of noise pollution at night. When the park was granted the outside licence in 2020 we had lots of issues of noise from music in the evenings. We made numerous complaints.”
‘We’ve spent thousands trying to block out noise’
Leath added that the park had received noise complaints from residents in Mullion, over a mile and a half away, indicating the severity of the disturbance. Mr Leath continued: “Our fear is that people may purchase takeaway alcohol from the fish and chip shop, sit outside and drink from the Horseshoe Bar until 11pm and continue to drink outside after 11pm.
“We are in a very rural location so any noise really carries. We cannot open windows in our bedroom at night a lot of the time because of the noise. In fact, we have spent thousands this year replacing our double glazing in the hope it will cut the noise even further.”
Local campsite owner Jacqueline George shared her grievances with councillors: “It affects my customers when the noise is at a very high level. There was one incident last year where the fire door was used for entertainment staff to go in and out which we were assured after the licence was issued in 2020 would not happen; that the fire doors and windows all along the back of the club would not be opened or used, and the staff would have to use a different entrance.”
Speaking of one particular incident, she added: “We had two quite unsavoury gentlemen who came into our toilet block and had drugs, and smashed the toilet roll holders and did other damage. I reported it to the general manager at the time, who I believe is no longer there, and they were aware of it. They said security would get them as they went in the gate, but I don’t believe they were expelled.”
Ms George also highlighted the impact on her farm: “The noise is a big issue. We have a farm, we have young stock across the road from the park – it all has an effect; it’s detrimental to our livestock who can get spooked and injure themselves.”
Stuart Giles, a local resident, has expressed his dismay in a letter to the council: “The litter from the food outlets and other areas of the park is at times appalling with rubbish hanging in the roadside trees and in the drainage ditches. I have complained several times directly to the park which never seems to be addressed.
“The residents use the nearby bus stop as a dustbin as do they the nearby bridlepath which is used for drug taking. There is a point where the holiday park should take responsibility for the people and the areas surrounding the park, not just close its eyes from the other side of the gate.”
Meanwhile, Cllr Sheila Lennox-Boyd, sub-committee chairman with 43 years of experience running approximately 13 pubs in Cornwall, commented: “I feel there is a break in communication and I’m quite sad to hear these situations.”
In response to claims that he and other residents declined a meeting with Parkdean representatives, Mr Leath clarified: “We wanted today’s meeting to be transparent and the first time we have this discussion.”
At the meeting, Parkdean’s solicitor highlighted that while park staff conduct daily litter picks around Lizard Point’s front area, they do not cover the bus stop, which falls outside their property. Mr Smith also noted that Parkdean had not received any formal complaints regarding litter from either the council or highways authorities.
In response to concerns outlined, he said: “The suggestion that people who stay on the park are using drugs is particularly concerning. If anybody is found using drugs their holiday will be terminated and they will be asked to leave. That’s what I can say and we do do it.”
To allegations of noise disturbances in Mullion, Mr Smith added: “We’ve had no complaints or representation from anyone in Mullion or any representation from the environmental health officer. To say we’re a company that doesn’t care … I don’t know many companies that take noise monitoring equipment out at night whether or not we get any complaints.”
When Cllr David Saunby proposed if the company could extend its litter picking duties to the nearby bus stop as an act of goodwill, the company concurred.
Lastly, the licence request was approved under the conditions stating staff will inspect the surrounding area including the bus stop every other day to guarantee litter clearance from the premises, while an updated contact telephone number will be made available to neighbouring residents to address complaints.
The sub-committee was presented with worries that the new licence could lead to unreasonable disruption for local residents. However, it was highlighted that no responsible authority had responded to these concerns.
The committee also acknowledged the issues surrounding drug use in the area, which were outside of the licensed premises and therefore not within their jurisdiction. They requested that the applicant comply with all conditions of the licence.
Express.co.uk has approached Parkdean Resorts for a comment.
