PLANS to build a new surf lifesaving club building at Mawgan Porth have been given a wave of approval.

Cornwall Council has approved plans for the construction of Mawgan Porth Surf Life Saving Club and associated works.

The club submitted the plans as it had “outgrown its existing infrastructure” and is operating with “limited facilities.”

The new building aims to provide a modern, purpose-built space that will enable the club to expand its activities, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the overall experience for members and volunteers.

The planning statement said: “Mawgan Porth Surf Lifesaving Club is a long-established, volunteer-led organisation that plays a central role in supporting the safety, wellbeing, and cohesion of the local community.

“Its primary aim is to promote awareness of beach and water safety and to ensure that both residents and visitors are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to enjoy the coastline responsibly. The club provides regular training sessions in surf lifesaving and first aid for adults and young people, including its popular "Nippers" programme for children aged seven to 13.

“These sessions not only develop essential lifesaving techniques such as sea swimming, board rescues, and CPR but also instil confidence, discipline, and teamwork in participants.

“The proposed new Surf Life Saving Club building at Mawgan Porth represents a significant and much-needed investment in the future of the club and the wider community. Currently operating with limited facilities, the club has outgrown its existing infrastructure, which restricts its ability to deliver high-quality training, store essential equipment, and operate year-round.

“The new building will provide a modern, purpose-built space that will enable the club to expand its activities, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the overall experience for members and volunteers.

“With dedicated areas for training, equipment storage, changing rooms, and community use, the facility will support the delivery of lifesaving courses in a more structured and professional environment.

“This will allow the club to accommodate more members, particularly children and young people, and to run sessions regardless of weather conditions, thereby improving accessibility and participation. The building will also serve as a central hub for first aid response, helping volunteers to act more quickly and effectively in emergency situations on the beach.

“Beyond the practical benefits, the new clubhouse will act as a focal point for community engagement, providing space for meetings, educational workshops, and outreach programmes.

“It will strengthen the club’s capacity to promote beach safety, environmental awareness, and personal development, while also offering a welcoming venue for collaboration with schools, local businesses, and other organisations. In short, the new Surf Life Saving Club building will significantly enhance the club’s ability to fulfil its mission, futureproof its operations, and continue providing a vital service to the residents and visitors of Mawgan Porth for generations to come.

“The proposed Surf Life Saving Club building has been carefully designed to respond to the sensitive coastal setting through the use of robust, contextually appropriate materials and a scale and layout that reflects the natural topography and visual character of the area.

“The scheme promotes environmental resilience, architectural quality, and functional value, enhancing both the built and natural environment. It will also support the continued provision of an essential community service, strengthening safety, wellbeing, and social cohesion in the area. While all development proposals carry some degree of change, any potential impacts associated with this scheme have been carefully assessed and mitigated through sensitive design, material choice, and the thoughtful integration of the building within its natural and built context.

“The modest scale of development, combined with its alignment to the existing topography, limited visual prominence, and absence of harm to ecological or heritage assets, ensures that any effects are negligible. In contrast, the benefits of the proposal are significant.

“These include the provision of a dedicated facility for Mawgan Porth Surf Life Saving Club — an essential community service that contributes directly to public safety and wellbeing — as well as the delivery of a high-quality, sustainable building that reflects and respects local character.”