Campaigners have criticised plans to close off the steps leading down to Whipsiderry Beach for the next six months.

Save Whipsiderry Cliffs believe Cornwall Council’s proposal to prohibit people from using the main access to the beach until July 13 is “excessive.”

Cornwall Council fenced off the entrance to the beach following the major cliff collapse at the end of November and has now submitted a temporary prohibition of traffic notice. 

But Save Whipsiderry Cliffs points out there have been recent cliff falls at various beaches in the area and they have not been closed off by the council.

The cliff collapses at Whipsiderry follows a developer carrying out cliff reinforcement works  ahead of building seven luxury villas on the clifftop above on the site of the former Paradise Cove Hotel.

Save Whipsiderry Cliffs group has staged various protests against the cliff being concreted as they believe it would ruin the picturesque area and would be detrimental to wildlife.

The group is now calling on people to submit their concerns to the council about how long the unitary authority plans to close off the steps to the public.

The council could even decide to extend the six month closure.

A spokesperson for Save Whipsiderry Cliffs said: “We believe the six month time period is excessive as the recent cliff falls have not affected the steps.

“Cornwall Council and Cormac have never stated the steps are unsafe.

“The public are still able to access the beach from other routes, and the closed steps increases the risk of tidal cut-off.

“This risk has been highlighted previously in Cornwall Councils own report, as a reason not to close the steps.

“Cliff falls are happening all over the Cornish coastline, including recently at Mawgan Porth, Porth, Chapel Porth and Widemouth yet none of these beaches have had their main access closed.

“Cornwall Council cannot guarantee the safety of the public on any eroding coastline. All they can do is provide adequate signage, to inform the public of the risks. 

“We will be sending our concerns to Cornwall Council Cormac asking for the reasons and justification behind the six month closure, and we invite people to do the same. 

“However, from our previous correspondences with Cornwall Council, we aren’t confident it will elicit an adequate response, as they seem perfectly happy to sit on their hands and do nothing, which is exactly what this six month closure appears to be.”