Following an eight-month consultation process considering the sustainable future of Freshwater West in Pembrokeshire, National Trust Cymru are now sharing the findings and proposals with the public.
Nearly 5,000 people contributed to two online surveys, with more attending drop in events, workshops and discussions, that formed detailed research for the consultation facilitated by Planning Solutions Consulting. Through engaging with people that visit the beach on a wide range of proposals including car parking, traffic, toilets and signage, key priorities have now been identified for Freshwater West.
The main proposals with the highest level of public support focus on improving car parking arrangements and visitor facilities at the beach.
These proposals include reconfiguring the main car park at the beach with a new seasonal overflow at Gupton Farm and implementing safer parking in the overall area. The proposed introduction of car parking charges would support improvements to and the future management of the car park. Changing to a parking charge would also enable us to continue to carry out important conservation work at Freshwater West.
The extension and upgrade of the existing toilet block with better disabled access and the addition of new signage, visitor information and refreshment provision will provide a better, safer day out for visitors to Freshwater West.
Freshwater West is a popular destination along the wild and beautiful Pembrokeshire coast, that has seen a significant increase in people visiting over recent years for a range of reasons. This has put increased pressure on facilities and parking and on the beach’s natural and protected features.
The beach is a legally protected conservation area, home to a host of wildlife, including lizards, orchids and rare ground-nesting birds. A European Designations of Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC), it is of international importance and amongst the most highly designated sites in the UK.
The overall aim of the independent study[1] was to find solutions to balance the needs of the natural environment at Freshwater West, with everyone’s enjoyment of the beach and coastline.
Jonathan Hughes, National Trust Cymru’s Assistant Director Operations, South Wales said:
“Freshwater West is a much-loved coastal site and over time, its beauty, expansive beach, good surf and Hollywood filming credentials have seen it become increasingly popular.
Visitor numbers regularly exceed capacity, and our car park alone welcomes around 75,000 people each year. While we’re delighted that so many want to visit, we have to balance the popularity of the site with impacts on the sensitive nature of the beach and wider environment, and pressure on the facilities and surrounding roads.”
As a conservation charity, our priority is to ensure that visitors have an enjoyable and safe experience, whilst also safeguarding this special landscape so it can be enjoyed for generations to come.
We are pleased to be able to share the findings and proposals from the consultation that will inform an action plan, subject to planning permission and funding, for the next steps at Freshwater West.”
In addition, based on the consultation results, the memorial to Dobby will remain at Freshwater West in the immediate term for people to enjoy. The Trust is asking visitors to only take photos when visiting the memorial to help protect the wider landscape. Items like socks, trinkets, and paint chips from painted pebbles could enter the marine environment and food chain and put wildlife at risk.
Freshwater West is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the surrounding area is home to large grey seals, harbour porpoise, and some of the largest populations of seabirds in the world. To protect local wildlife from plastic polluting the marine environment, the Trust asks all visitors to Freshwater West to leave no trace.
Sand dune habitats constantly change and shift, and so the situation will be reviewed as work continues towards a long-term plan for managing the site, and the whole of Freshwater West.
Funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund, the results of the consultation are now available: The Executive Summary can be read online, with the webpage including details on how to request the full report.
If anyone has any further questions after reading the summary or final report, they are welcome to attend a drop-in session held by National Trust Cymru at The Stackpole Centre between 2pm and 7pm on Thursday 10 November.
Rhian Sula, National Trust Cymru’s Pembrokeshire’s Interim General Manager added:
“We want to thank everyone who has taken the time to contribute to this consultation and given their support in helping us develop a more sustainable future for Freshwater West.
The need to manage the natural environment and uniqueness of this very special beach alongside the enjoyment of everyone who visits is a balance we need to find.
We look forward to continuing to work together with the many people, communities and other stakeholders in developing the solutions proposed by the Freshwater West UK Community Renewal Fund Consultation.
These will guide us in our next steps and future decisions for this exceptional place.”
Freshwater West is managed by multiple groups, with National Trust Cymru caring for the car parks, toilet block, and much of the landscape behind the beach. The ownership of rest of the site is split between the Angle Estate, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority cares for the beach on behalf of the Crown Estate.
