Message from Beer Parish Council about Saturday’s meeting in the Mariners’ hall

Published: 23 February 2026

Firstly, we would like to thank everyone who attended Saturday’s meeting. Fortunately the weather was kind to us and it enabled a high number of people to attend. Special thanks to the Horticultural Society for providing delicious refreshments. The Parish Councillors have taken note of all the varied opinions expressed and they will all be carefully considered before any further action is taken by the Council.

Our principle aim in holding Saturday’s meeting was to visually highlight the very serious threat we face with the cliff at Common Lane. The condition of the cliff edge at its narrowest point is very precarious and we felt we needed to bring this to the attention of the villagers. How, what and when we respond to this situation is completely open for debate.

Nothing contained in or shown on the plans which were on show Saturday is “set in stone and already decided upon”. Saturday’s meeting was just the first part of the consultation process we intend having with the whole electorate. We have listened to the many comments made to us and we will now take them all forward to the next stage of the public debate. The overwhelming opinion we received on Saturday was recognition of the fact that Beer does potentially have a very serious problem, if the cliff collapses and the road has to be closed forever. How we solve that problem is what we will now address. We hope we were able to dispel many of the unfounded fears some villagers had about our plans. There has been a lot of misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the ways we should tackle this problem. Our aim is to formulate a plan which at the very least achieves the continued existence of the roadway for pedestrian access to and from the Cliff Top car park to the beach. An essential part of that plan will be to restrict weight and width limit of all vehicles being allowed to pass along Common Lane from its junction with The Meadows westward up the hill to its junction with Southdown Road. There was clear recognition on Saturday of the potential damage which heavy vehicles could have upon the road surface which might lead to its collapse. Beyond that decision and what measures are now suggested to be implemented, will be thoroughly debated and considered.

We welcome the further input from residents and suggestions. If however you have any further questions or queries please contact parish council by email to clerk@beer-pc.gov.uk or come along to a council meeting and ask your question in person, we always welcome public participation. We can then arrive at an action plan which is acceptable to the villagers and is in the very best interests of Beer.

Thank you. We will keep the electorate informed of every move from here.