Have your say on Let's Talk Cornwall
Residents are being invited to have their say on whether open fires should be banned on Falmouth’s beaches.
The Falmouth Beaches Management Group and Falmouth Town Council have asked for a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) prohibiting open fires to be introduced at Gyllyngvase, Maenporth, Castle and Swanpool beaches.
Following an increase in the number of open fires on the beaches in recent years, the Falmouth Beach Management Group has highlighted the following risks and concerns:
- Large fires can still be smouldering the following day posing a risk of burns to beach users. Hot embers or buried hot ash may not be visible once a fire has been extinguished.
- There have been instances of crates and fences being used to stoke the fires. This leaves nails and steel fastenings in the sand that pose a risk of injury to those using the beach, including barefoot beach users, children and animals.
- There is a risk of fires spreading, particularly in dry or windy conditions, which can threaten nearby dunes, vegetation and wildlife habitats.
- Smoke can impact nearby residents, visitors and businesses, while fire damage can degrade sensitive coastal environments and require costly clean up and restoration.
- Open fires scar the beach and leave areas of blackened sand that are unsightly.
- Cleaning up the discarded fire remains and associated litter place additional pressure on council and volunteer resources responsible for maintaining these areas.
The introduction of a PSPO would make lighting fires on Falmouth’s beaches a criminal offence.
Officers from Falmouth Town Council would patrol the beaches to enforce the order, and offenders could be issued with a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice or face prosecution.
Cornwall Council has today April 15, 2026 launched a consultation and is asking members of the public to share their views on whether a PSPO prohibiting open fires should be introduced.
Councillor Thalia Marrington, cabinet member with responsibility for Community Safety and Public Protection at Cornwall Council, said: “We want people to enjoy the beaches, but we have to keep everyone safe.
“We will take your feedback into account before any decisions are made on whether a PSPO should be put in place and if so, what that PSPO should look like.
“Please do complete the survey and have your say.”
The survey will be available on Let’s Talk Cornwall until Sunday, June 14, 2026.
Press release issued on April 15, 2026