A dispute has emerged in Newquay, Cornwall, over access to a coastal path around the Glendorgal headland leading to Porth Beach, after a developer restricted public use of the route. The pathway, long frequented by residents and visitors, was recently blocked off following the erection of gates and wooden barriers by the owner of the Glendorgal Hotel, Séamus Redmond.

Redmond, whose company Bluechip Hotels obtained planning permission last year to construct 12 holiday homes on the headland, has maintained that the coastal path is private property and that no public right of way exists. He has warned that anyone found using the route without authorization could face prosecution. In response to criticism from local residents, he suggested those wishing to continue using the path should consider purchasing one of the new properties, which would confer exclusive access rights.

Local residents have strongly contested this position. Matt Kennedy-Smith, a teacher who grew up in Newquay, established the Glendorgal Coast Path group to advocate for preserving public access. The group has gathered historical evidence including photographs of weddings, proposals, and memorial ceremonies held along the path, aiming to demonstrate continuous public use over many years. More than 100 supporters have contributed to this effort, which also includes plans to apply for a definitive map modification order through Cornwall Council. This legal mechanism would prompt the council to formally investigate and potentially recognise the route as a public right of way.

Kennedy-Smith said the community was puzzled and concerned by the sudden closure of a route that had been widely used for decades, emphasizing that the group does not oppose the new development but seeks coexistence with public access. A recent survey by the group indicated that over half of respondents used the coastal path weekly, while nearly 14 percent walked it daily.

The current situation recalls a similar conflict from 1882, when local residents opposed Sir Arthur Vivian, a landowner and member of parliament, who attempted to restrict access to the same area. At that time, a public meeting concluded that exclusive control of pathways between Porth and Watergate Bay was detrimental to local interests, leading to the appointment of a committee to safeguard public rights. Following this, the land changed ownership to the Tangye family, who maintained open access.

The Glendorgal estate remained a private residence for many years before being converted into a hotel by Nigel Tangye, an author who also claimed to have been an intelligence agent during the Spanish Civil War. The property was later sold to Bluechip Hotels, owned by Séamus and Amanda Redmond.

Cornwall Council has confirmed that, to date, there is no officially recognised public right of way to the headland. The outcome of the current dispute may hinge on the pending application to establish legal public access through historic use and community support.