Residents Invited to Comment on Mounts Bay Coastal Strategy

Residents are being invited to take part in an online discussion about plans aimed at protecting the Mounts Bay coastline from severe storms, flooding and coastal erosion.

Cornwall Council has worked with the Environment Agency to develop a coastal resilience strategy covering the 15.5km stretch of coastline from Mousehole to Marazion. The draft strategy was published on Wednesday 11th March 2026.

Officials say more than 2,000 properties could be affected by flooding in the future, and warn that Newlyn and Mousehole harbours could be lost by 2100 if action is not taken.

Online event for residents

An online question and answer session about the Mounts Bay Strategy will take place on 23rd March from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

The event will be hosted by BBC Cornwall presenter Julie Skentelbery and will feature a panel including representatives from Cornwall Council, the Environment Agency, technical experts and local representatives.

Residents can follow the discussion online through a Facebook event page and submit questions in advance.

You can watch the event via the Facebook event page and submit questions beforehand through the Mounts Bay Strategy Q&A page.

Growing risks along the bay

Mounts Bay is frequently hit by severe storms. During the winter of 2013 to 2014, Penzance Promenade, Jubilee Pool and Newlyn Green suffered extensive damage and required significant repairs.

According to the council and Environment Agency, stronger storms, higher wind speeds and rising sea levels are expected to increase coastal erosion and flooding risks for communities around the bay in the future.

Many existing coastal defences are ageing and some are repaired after storms using what officials describe as a “do minimum” approach. The strategy states that this is unsustainable and not cost effective in the long term.

What the strategy proposes

The draft strategy looks ahead over the next 100 years and sets out a long term structure for managing flood and coastal erosion risks across the bay.

It brings together studies carried out in the area over the past decade and recommends a series of actions designed to reduce the impact of extreme weather.

Proposals include:

• Using sand to strengthen the coastline at Eastern Green and Long Rock
• Installing control structures and submerged breakwaters off Penzance Promenade to reduce wave energy
• Rewilding and increasing flood storage capacity in the Lariggan Valley near Wherrytown
• Maintaining and reinforcing existing defences in harbour areas and along the Mousehole coastal road
• Identifying local adaptation opportunities where possible

The approach also considers nature based solutions and managed changes to some defences over time.

Call for community feedback

Loic Rich, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for environment and climate change, said:

“Mounts Bay is a beautiful and vital part of Cornwall, home to thriving communities, historic harbours, popular beaches, and important natural habitats.

“But our coastline faces growing challenges from the sea and significant flood risks. Without action, many of the things we value here could be lost.

“We want to work together with residents, organisations and voluntary groups to find balanced, long term and coordinated solutions across the bay. The Mounts Bay Strategy is a starting point and we want to hear from as many of you as possible whether you live or work here or visit regularly to enjoy its stunning scenery.”

Justin Ridgewell, partnerships and strategic overview advisor at the Environment Agency, added:

“This strategy describes how increasing flood and coastal erosion risks can be managed for the communities of Mounts Bay and looks to set a clear direction of travel for the future.

“It also recognises the need for the proposed approach and investment to support wider place-shaping outcomes, including regeneration, community well-being and diversification of the local economy, whilst also acknowledging the unique coastal and marine setting, the wildlife and heritage the bay is home to, and the imperative of working in ways which safeguard and enhance these attributes.”

How to take part

Residents and businesses are being encouraged to share their views before the final strategy is developed.

A public survey asking about flood and coastal risks, support for the preferred approach and any concerns is open until 10th May 2026.

You can take part in the survey through the Mounts Bay Strategy consultation page.

Feedback will be considered before the final strategy is adopted by partner organisations.

📷 The graphic shows some of the risks to Mounts Bay without action: