RESIDENTS are being given an opportunity to have their say on the future of a Newquay headland and car park after concerns were raised about its new management.

Cornwall Heritage Trust will be staging a community consultation day following its acquisition of East Pentire Headland, which will be held at the Pentire Hotel on Monday, October 27 between 2pm and 7pm.

The heritage trust has previously looked to ease fears about its management of the headland after devolving the historic cliff top site from Cornwall Council on Monday, August 11.

Campaign group Protect Pentire Headland: Stop Unfair Parking Charges and Keep it for the People raised various concerns but the trust gave assurances the parking charges would remain at the same as they did under Cornwall Council’s ownership.

The trust also stated there will be no charge for parking during the winter months between November 1 and March 31 and that the bin contract will be reinstated while it explores options for the future.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Heritage Trust said: “This public consultation session is an opportunity for the local community to meet the trust and provide ideas and suggestions for the future of the site as well as information on its history and place in the local community.

“We have already held meetings with the local councillor and local residents’ association and will continue to work closely with them.

“Cornwall Heritage Trust is a small charity and does not have capacity to oversee the day-to-day management of the car park in-house.

“The management of the car park has been contracted with National Parking Control (NPC) who have an initial one-year contract to provide oversight of the facility.

“NPC were selected to manage the car park after careful consideration from several different companies as it was the most flexible and approachable. This arrangement will be reviewed at the end of the contract period to ensure that all parties are satisfied which will include feedback from local consultation.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, all the income from the car park will be received by Cornwall Heritage Trust and this will be used to support the management of East Pentire Headland and the other historic sites in our care throughout Cornwall.

“We have kept the same tariff as Cornwall Council charged in this car park. These will be subject to the usual annual reviews.

“We will keep parking free during the winter months from November 1 until March 31.

“We are aware that there is an issue with the removal of the bins at East Pentire during the summer period. The waste disposal contract has been reinstated while we explore options for the future.

“Emptying the bins will be a substantial amount of money each year and this arrangement will be kept under review.

“We are liaising with Cornwall Council for more information regarding the memorial benches; however, none will be removed unless they are unsafe or in a dangerous position.”