The owners of Life's A Beach café Maenporth have responded to criticism over its application to install ANPR cameras in its car park.

The response comes following a recent article in the Falmouth Packet and on its website about The Life’s a Beach café’s plans for the Maenporth Beach car park.

Owner James Wright has submitted revised plans to install an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) bollard and camera, associated signage and a pay and display machine in the beach car park. A similar proposal was rejected earlier this year.

The article about Falmouth Town Council's response prompted a big response online and on social media with some people supporting the proposal and others objecting to the plans for the cameras and associated signage.

The café said the cameras are needed to tackle anti-social behaviour, littering and overnight parking which is not allowed.

In the post on Facebook, the café says its lease with the council obliges them to prevent overnight parking/camping and anti-social behaviour.

“As followers of our social media feeds will be aware, there has been an increase in the number of campervans parking overnight at Maenporth Beach.

“From beginning of April to 5th May 2024 alone we have CCTV footage of at least 12 campervans parked overnight.

“Maenporth Beach also regularly experiences significant problems caused by people leaving BBQs and from fires on the beach or by the Cafe buildings - sometimes BBQs even buried in the sand.

“Last season we had to call the fire brigade out to deal with a couple of potentially dangerous fires on the beach and around the cafe area. The Falmouth Town Wardens have also attended to assist in several incidences of anti-social behaviour.”

The café also says, despite rumours, it has no intention of changing the current situation for winter parking. Parking at Maenporth Beach will remain free for the winter period from November to late March.

“From late March to the end of October there will be a fairer tariff system in place for short term parking,” they said. “With the new options customers will be able to pay for 1/2/3/4 or eight hours of parking instead of having to pay the same flat rate whether you need to park for just an hour or want to spend all day on the beach.

“Our aim is to maintain this beautiful place as a safe & clean beach for all who love it, just like we do.”