On 4th April 2025, Mod Box Developments closed a vital 120ft path running across Brooklands in Polzeath with no notice, consultation and seemingly no respect to the fact that it had been used by village residents and visitors for years.  This path runs from West Rae Road, across Brooklands (known by some as Polzeath’s ‘Shanty Town’), behind Treasure House, and out at the ford (the South West Coast Path).

Despite multiple pleas to keep the path open, high gates and barriers were padlocked with no explanation other than a “health and safety concern” plus references of possible previous drugs use.  Offers were made to contribute to costs of fencing and insurance to protect the public from any apparent dangers, but these were ignored.

By signing this petition today, you are joining our call for Mod Box Developments to:

1. Reopen Polzeath’s Brooklands path immediately;
2. Organise safe fencing and insurance to adequately protect its many users every day. 

Paths are precious social connectors for local communities, particularly those under pressure due to people moving away.  Paths keep those remaining connected, out of their cars, and able to easily & safely visit elderly sick relatives or check in with the lonely.  Since the path’s closure, countless people have contributed stories of its use over the years: scout groups using it for map reading practice, children using it to walk safely to the school bus, a coastguard relying on it for quick easy access on a beach emergency ’shout’, and sometimes it is the only path to keep feet dry when the ford is in flood. 

Now, the only route through the village is along the main road and past a busy building site where the fish and chip shop used to be.  Right on this corner, crucially, the pavement has disappeared. With multiple lorries delivering every day, there is no safe passage for walkers, let alone those pushing buggies, in wheelchairs, or walking with toddlers & dogs.  Previously everyone walked safely using the now closed path.

Mod Box Developments has not responded to requests to open the path immediately. Even though the managing director admitted to using the path in the past with his children, he wrote: “We are still at the inception stage regarding site designs and therefore cannot say at this point, whether there will be any sort of access through the site.  Obviously the site has no legal access rights through it and until we have an acceptable design, supported by the council, we just don’t know if the completed site will allow the public over it.”  

Clearly many would disagree with this statement.  However, what most people do agree on is that when Mod Box Developments bought Brooklands, it was completely clear that there was a much valued and used path running through it that the village values.  

To date the campaign has received support and/or help from the following groups: Facebook’s Polzeath Walks group, Polzeath Area Residents Association, Polzeath Beach Ranger and The Two Bays Trust. In addition, the St Minver Highlands Parish Council, Cornwall Council Countryside Team, Cornwall Council Highways, The Ramblers, The South West Coastpath Organisation, Rosie Moore Liberal Democrat’s Candidate for Wadebridge East Minver, and Ben Maguire, Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall have all been made aware of the situation.  Countless local people have thrown their weight and energy behind doing whatever they can to sort out this horrible situation. Thank you.

Please send this petition onwards to those who have used this path in the past, and ask them to sign.  It is important that we get the weight of public opinion behind us to show Mod Box that opening the Brooklands path is the right thing to do…..and quickly.

Also, if you would like to add to the group pile of statements that people are submitting to help drive this campaign to a successful and rightful conclusion, please get in touch through the incredible Facebook Polzeath Walks page. 

Thank you.