To Devon County Council, Councillor Julian Brazil (Leader of Devon County Council), the Public Rights of Way Team, and Councillor Simon Rake

We call upon Devon County Council to take immediate and accountable action to restore permanent public access to Lighthouse Beach (“LHB”) in Kingswear.

• Lighthouse Beach is an essential part of Kingswear’s heritage, natural environment and community life for village residents, visitors, walkers, swimmers, and other users of the River Dart.
• It is a community asset, not a luxury. For generations, it has been where our children learn to swim, where friends and families spend time, and where the village meets the river.
• Access to the beach has been repeatedly disrupted due to damage, disrepair, and delays in repair works.
• Access has now been closed for the entire summer due to damage caused this winter. 
• Residents and community groups have raised concerns for several years about the lack of consistent access, clear communication, and the ability to safeguard this access.
• The opening of the King Charles III England Coastal Path, together with established coastal access rights reinforces the importance of clear and lasting public access. 
• This petition asks Devon County Council to publish a repair plan, provide realistic timescales, issue regular progress updates, and deliver a permanent solution.  
• The aim is to secure safe, lawful, and reliable public access to Lighthouse Beach for current and future generations.

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HERE’S THE DETAIL

WHY LIGHTHOUSE BEACH MATTERS

Lighthouse Beach is an essential part of Kingswear’s heritage, natural environment and community life. For generations, it has been where our children learn to swim, where friends and families spend time, and where the village meets the river.

It is a community asset, not a luxury.

Kingswear has already lost its school. Its children are now scattered across the region, attending different schools, with fewer shared village spaces to bring them together.

When a community starts losing the places that bind it, every remaining one becomes more important. Lighthouse Beach is one of them.

Swim education across the country is in decline. 

Closing it does not just remove a leisure spot, it removes a rite of passage and a vital life skill from the next generation.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED?

For many years, access to the beach has been obstructed and blocked through a combination of disrepair and damage and a campaign of disinformation. As a result, many residents have been afraid to visit, many visitors and walkers have wrongly believed it was inaccessible.

Local residents and community groups consistently raise concerns regarding damage to access infrastructure, delays in repairs, confusion and a lack of clear communication and accountability. After years of effort access to the beach was finally restored in 2025.

Due to damage sustained this winter, access to the beach has been closed once again and is expected to last for most, if not all the summer.

This repeated cycle of reopening and closure has caused deep distress and frustration within the community. 

With the opening of the King Charles III England Coastal Path and the reiteration of coastal access rights in law, the community believed that unambiguous and unfettered access would finally be maintained.  

At recent meetings involving Devon County Council officers and local representatives, residents requested:

• A clear and published work plan for repairs and reinstatement.
• Defined timelines and milestones for completion.
• Transparent reporting and accountability.
• Recognition of the importance of Lighthouse Beach to Kingswear.
• Consideration of community volunteering support where appropriate.

Despite assurances from Devon County Council representatives that the matter is considered “high priority,” residents remain without a timetable for reopening.

WHAT ARE WE ASKING FOR

We call on Devon County Council to:

1. Publish a full repair and reinstatement plan for Lighthouse Beach access.
2. Provide realistic and transparent timescales for all works.
3. Commit to regular public progress updates.
4. Prioritise a permanent and resilient solution rather than temporary fixes.
5. Work constructively with the Kingswear community, Parish Council, and local volunteers to ensure the beach remains accessible for future generations.

We also remind Councillor Simon Rake that reopening Lighthouse Beach formed part of the commitments made during his election campaign, and we ask him to actively support and publicly champion this cause until access is fully restored.

Lighthouse Beach is a vital community asset. Residents have shown patience, persistence, and goodwill for many years.

We call on Julian Brazil representing Devon County Council to demonstrate the same by committing to a plan and a timeline to expeditiously deliver a lasting solution.