Celebs ruin coastal village forcing locals out!

[@ihbcsomerset6966]

The second home issue needs to be resolved in Cornwall. The local authority should charge 8x the normal council tax that could be used to help the locals. Your concluding bit at the end is spot on - the divide between the poor Cornwall (often forgotten and not remembered, and the wealthy Cornwall is incredibly stark! As you also say, and I mentioned above, second homes, holiday lets and airbnb make it nearly impossible to buy or rent, especially given the very low wages of many local people. It’s a scandal and needs to be addressed by CCC. Planning permission for change of use should be required for second homes.

[@MrBlaugeist]

There are plenty of houses for sale - wages don’t meet the prices and work can be scarce ……..

[@clovermark39]

Thing is these celebs can afford all the extra council tax so to them it doesn’t matter. They should be made to build at least a couple of houses for locals per house they build.

[@katealison6087]

I think the locals selling the original properties should be taxed extra if they sell to a non local.

[@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw]

It's not impossible to bring in legislation for Cornwall. Sorry. I'll rephrase that. It shouldn't be impossible to bring in legislation for Cornwall addressing the housing issue. No sales to non full-time Cornish residents EXCEPT under exceptional circumstances. Some countries had laws outlawing property sales to foreigners. Austria for example, although that law has been changed. However as Cornwall is the one county that doesn't have normal councils like other UK regions, and huge tracts of land belong to the Duchy of Cornwall there are problems. The Duke of Cornwall is of course a title that belongs to whoever is 🤴 Prince of Wales and that is Prince William, there are problems. The Duchy income goes to William just like it went to his dad before he became king (and Duke of Lancaster). Aren't the middle ages great ? 👍 It's wonderful living in the year 1224. Oh hang on, it's 2024... Anyway since William basically OWNS Cornwall and he likes to hang with his Hollywood chums, good luck with changing any laws.

[@helenbenjafield7351]

​@@MrBlaugeistbut the wealthy push up the prices,so the average person can't afford to purchase or rent,thus creating a huge divide,those who can afford to stay dry at night,&those who find themselves on the streets.

[@chuffers77787]

Hi guys, you know what you both have is worth more than all those millionaires own, pure happiness. It shines in your eyes and your beautiful relationship with each other, and that's why we love your channel so much!

[@Palominohusky]

Absolutely appalling! In days to come these properties will be scorned as a blot on the landscape. The owners don’t see what the villagers see because they are inside! I have never seen so many poorly designed houses, so much concrete, very good for the environment, I don’t think! You can no longer call them villages, they are just enclaves, places that are not homes, just a bolt hole for someone who MAY perhaps pop down for a few days. They could also be the modern day version of ‘look how wealthy I am!’. No I am not envious, no way would I be happy living in a place that is dead for most of the year! These ‘ second homes’ cannot be classed as ‘homes’ when they are empty most of the time! Sadly the lifeblood is going from these lovely villages, and they are destroying what attracted them there in the first place!

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

I agree completely! You are so right! Sarah :)

[@nutmeg-s3h]

The stench of corruption is overwhelming. Bravo to Sarah and Andrew for this enlightening video.

[@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw]

*stench of corruption* It's just how Cornwall works. The Prince of Wales / Duke of Cornwall has to have an income from somewhere. That's why Edward I made his son, the future Edward II , Duke of Cornwallas well as Princeof Wales. As long as he was PofW he wouldn't need to come to his dad begging for a pocket money increase. Dad would just say, go and squeeze it out of your peasants/ serfs. That's what they're there for. As for locals sleeping on the street, do the landowners care ? 😴 Or their Hollyweird friends for that matter. Perhaps it might explain why Hollyweird is so anti Harry now.

[@phillipcarter8045]

Celebrity’s are nice people what’s the problem. ? 😊

[@ivanlyne4270]

@@phillipcarter8045 some are I agree but I'm afraid to say that there are some rich and famous who are right turds! Don't believe all you see on the telly or media!

[@carotrike]

What worries me is that such people will use these 'homes' as hideaways. None of their millions will get spent locally to improve the lives of the original residents. The same thing has happened in the Somerset town where we live. Once these people who have so much, move in, even the cost of rented property goes up. Then you have more and more people sleeping on the street. It has become a real problem here. We need legislation about second homes and the legitimate cost of rentals (as I replied to another person, we need a change if government before that will happen as it's building permissions for mates!)

[@mikeoglen6848]

The people who are making this possible should have the Spotlight turned on them and they should be made to answer for their decisions. The decision making process goes on quietly behind-the-scenes...

[@clovermark39]

They probably just bring in whatever food and stuff they need from anywhere else but Cornwall.

[@katealison6087]

local trades would have received hundreds of thousands for the build. That's more employment than the previous unattractive bungalows would provide.

[@mikeoglen6848]

Have you ever thought there might be other things in Life than £££?@@katealison6087

[@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw]

That's IF the building jobs went to local firms. A very big IF. No doubt these Hollyweird scumbags hired fancy London architectural consultancies that have their OWN builders, who they ship in from wherever. While some MAY employ locals, I wouldn't ASSUME they do.

[@glencurtis6496]

Those new build houses are an absolute eyesore a complete waste ,completely out of place in such a beautiful little village on the coast ,it will ruin the area .

[@TravellingTorunn]

Great to have you back 🥰 As I don't live in the UK, I will not express strong opinions here. But similar things are happening here in Norway too. Perhaps not so many Hollywood actors are moving here but many wealthy people buy holiday homes in beautiful areas both at the coast and in the mountains. And that destroys much of the infrastructure. Out of season the places will be half empty and the people who used to live there and use the facilities like schools, supermarkets etc are not there anymore, and those may disappear. And that makes it harder for the remaining locals. I stayed overnight at the West Winds B&B in Mawgan Porth in 2018. A very nice place, like a time capsule from the 70's and an absolutely lovely elderly lady as our host. I see it is for sale now for £1,5 mill. Thank you for the lovely video ❤

[@mikeoglen6848]

A very interesting contribution.

[@Trojwaterman]

Awesome video again. Property prices are also off the scale here in Guernsey and many locals have left the island over the years as its just getting to expensive to live here

[@esthermorrissey1454]

Good to see you both back on U Tube and hope you enjoyed your break, This is the sign of the times here in Cornwall - over development caused by our Council allowing this, you can’t build until you have permission. There is a lot of wealth from people moving into Cornwall but, only a very small amount stay in Cornwall. It is a shame that these properties are so very ostentatious and so out of character - I presume that it is the sign of things to come. Living here all my life - I don’t recognise the Cornwall I was born into.

[@barleyarrish]

There is one factor that needs to be addressed and that is 'Security'. This could be a very real threat as restrictions for security of the 'filthy rich' becomes a problem for holiday makers and locals. This takes the problems of second homes (dark homes) and affordability to a new level, which will enevitably affect low or average income familys. Also any sense of community. When we moved to Cornwall 40 years ago, we tried to dissapear into the landscape because we loved what we were comming to and did not want it changed. A Cornish Friend I have works building and designing luxury interiors, but can't even get on the housing ladder, he is nearly 50 and still living at home! I am surprised that many of these stars are hard bitten 'Greenies', who warn the world about carbon footprints and sea level rise... Yeah Right! Good video guy's good to see you back!

[@mikeoglen6848]

Carbon Footprints do not apply to them, in their personal lives, so it would seem...

[@barleyarrish]

@@mikeoglen6848 That's right because they know it's a scam, like all the politicians were party people while they locked the world down, they are taking the proverbial.

[@barleyarrish]

@@mikeoglen6848 simply because they know it is all a scam, obama rails about sea level rise, but has a mansion at sea level in Martha's Vineyard, de caprio the same he partied like our parliamentary mp's while we sat at home. It is time for people to recognise sheer hypocrisy.

[@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw]

If course it doesn't. When they jet around in their Learjets, they can spread the message of reducing carbon 👣 footprints among even MORE poor people. The more they fly the more preaching they can do. So no hypocrisy there then.

[@barleyarrish]

@@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw Carbon Dioxide is the Green Gas, it is essential for the metabolism of plants, which in turn feeds the Animal Kingdom, and Humanity. These overpayed actors do not inform the public, they keep themselves to themslves. If Global warming was a real threat do you honestly think anyone of this cult of the super rich would indulge in such behaviour? If the threat of Sea level Rise was an issue due you think anyone with an ounce of common sense would invest in waterfront properties? At last Sweden after going down this suicidal route for quite a few years now has seen the light.

[@dianewetherill185]

This was an eye opener for me. I think the beauty of Cornwall is in its history and quaint yet dramatic charm. These container type homes seem an eyesore in a beautiful setting and then they become empty as second homes. Ghost towns for locals. I feel for people who want a charming home to live in year round in a community and can’t afford it. I live in beautiful Pennsylvania where preserving land is important. Thanks for sharing something different, Andrew and Sarah.❤

[@hamsterhuey9495]

I loved the video and the ever growing issues it raises, thank you for speaking up :) I used to live in RAF quaters at St Eval when St Mawgan (Newquay airport) was still an RAF base and myself, familly and friends would often cycle down to Mawgan Porth to go to the beach. We did this almost every day in the summer holidays it was lovely. Back in the late 70's/early eighties it looked nothing like it does now and was a very peaceful and beautiful place. Our familly moved from St Eval to St Column Minor in the eighties and after finishing school I found it very hard to get work, as did all my friends that left school about the same time. The economy only really existed six months of the year and it was almost impossible to find work the whole year round. Eventually most of us moved away, I return every year for my holidays now (yes, I have become an Emmet), that I am all grown up as love the area so much. I think what has happened to Mawgan Porth and the community is an absolute sin, I visited there last year and was shocked by the changes to one of my favourite childhood haunts, it had gone from a beautiful quiet place into mayhem. It was awful and made me so sad. I think the local council should not allow these ugly properties to be built, they seem to think that incuding a few bricks from local stone makes them fit in, well it doesn't. I know the area needs money but these people will not contribute and they are taking homes away from locals it should not be allowed to happen... Mrs Angry from Tunbridge Wells.

[@julianhawker7672]

Snap! Used to cycle down there as a kid and go to the beach. Not been there in 15 years and it looks ruined, such a shame.

[@Hedgehogsinthemist123]

You've just described the whole of Cornwall and those areas where it's quiet, won't be for much longer. I grew up in Quintrell Downs and used to cycle down to Porth Beach after school. The beach was very relaxing even in summer. I no longer recognise my childhood village or Newquay in general. It's very sad that Cornwall Council do not care.

[@katealison6087]

Yet locals sold them the land - happy to take the money and then making a career out of racial slurring the people who come to live there. I think the word Emmett is clear racism as it's based on being English. Saying that "these people" won't contribute doesn't make sense. How many tens of thousands do you think local tradespeople were paid to build the properties. Then they'll employ local gardeners and odd jobs people to look after the property. They'll eat at local restaurants without restraint too. There no problem at all with the few modern houses that these celebs have built. What's spoilt Mawgan Porth is the overly commercial look of the main road through - those are local people opening multiple eateries and it now feels closer to Newquay at times than how it was before. People in Cornwall and from Cornwall seem to actually enjoy blaming everyone else for their issues. They seem unable to turn the lens inwards to see their overwhelming part in things. It comes across as bitterness and ignorance at times which doesn't actually achieve anything.

[@Hedgehogsinthemist123]

@@katealison6087 There is no local market. Properties in expensive/desirable areas are only being bought by outsiders. If you can afford to leave your home to your children or reduce it right down so a local can buy it then great, but the majority of people cannot afford to do that. Estate agents started the greedy trend 40 years ago and now, it's far worse. I bet Cate's builders are from out of county. Nobody wants gardens anymore, just slabs of concrete and astroturf, so no gardener needed.

[@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw]

@adamroots Yes. I agree with you. It's so easy to blame the locals. Some are undoubtedly greedy or antisocial, but they will be the minority. With intelligent policy and planning affordable homes for locals should be provided. Real business should be encouraged with tax breaks if that's what it takes PROVIDED they employ local people. There should be strict building controls limited to local styles and materials. This will make properties resealable and thus likely to keep their value, rather than becoming an abandoned overgrown derelict Mcmansion that once belonged to some long forgotten Hollywood starlet who appears in "where are they now?" features and now lives in a trailer in Bakersfield. This will turn into a disaster.

[@daizyflower272]

The fact that the Planning department people in Cornwall council aren't being investigated on backhanders shows that corruption is at the highest level. Money not only speaks but buys power.

[@mikeoglen6848]

Are there no Local Journalists anymore to run a story? Why don't the local people get involved?

[@daizyflower272]

​@@mikeoglen6848won't get published. Power of publications are currupt. Locals can't get a word in because parish councils are under scrutiny from what they say and do.

[@qman2261]

In my experience, planners are too stupid AND cowardly to be corrupt. They write weak overcomplicated rules (leaving themselves no room for common sense discretion) and then get steamrollered by highly paid consultants and sociopathic developers/clients, who get everything they ask for because the regulators are too timid to say no. Often the incomers don't even have to pay for ruining the beauty spots.

[@terrim632]

Hi Andrew & Sarah. This is not just happening in the UK. It is rampant & started many years ago in our small secluded coastal areas & picturesque zones, of NSW & QLD. Locals here too are beyond fed up with outsiders tearing down, rebuilding, blocking out locals & homes being vacant so much. (As you said , we also have homelessness). Councils ignore them for the $$ of course. The disruption & noise that the weekend & random house stayers bring is ongoing. It certainly changes the vibe. I'm sorry that Cate is an Aussie doing this over there.... she has plenty of stunning options in Aus. Thanks for enlightening us. Looking forward to a happier video soon 🥰

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

true.

[@eldred1809]

Just goes to show - money can't buy you style or taste. Bobtails looked lovely from the photo's, such a shame it was demolished to make way for yet another soulless box. I blame Kevin McCloud! Until the government, red or blue, gets a grip on the wealth gap, this country will always have obscenely rich and obscenely poor people, and believe it or not, that is obscene (did I mention that?)

[@trudysimms1564]

Yes that T!@t has alot to answer for! Pretentious load of old crap that the millennials love!!

[@mikeoglen6848]

I agree! Money can't buy you taste or style. That's why I don't care too much for money 'coz money can't buy me...taste or style.

[@christopherdakin7094]

Second homes must really be addressed. Cornish people struggle to buy property. The new houses look terrible. If you are still looking for places to visit outside Cornwall, try the South Shropshire Hills, very beautiful. The town of Ludlow is special, also look at Bishop's Castle. Thank you for another video.

[@roxxthefox2704]

The real cornish? Can't 'outsiders' move into the county then? Non 2nd home owners that is..

[@christopherdakin7094]

@@roxxthefox2704 Local people have to move away because they can't afford property. A shop owner told me she struggles for staff because she can't pay people enough to live locally, it was a tourist area.

[@roxxthefox2704]

@christopherdakin7094 I appreciate that but if we 'outsiders' didn't move in, those business would be a lot worse off. I totally agree 2nd homes etc should be treated differently but lm sick of hearing that all 'outsiders' are causing problems. Besides l think this channel needs to steer clear of politics, its meant to be about the walks and the beautiful side of Cornwall.

[@christopherdakin7094]

@@roxxthefox2704 My concern is the second homes, often lived in only a few weeks a year, and any other factors that push prices out of reach of ordinary people. Thank you Andrew and Sarah for highlighting the issue, great video as always.

[@Hedgehogsinthemist123]

Sadly, there aren't many 'real' Cornish left.

[@stuartkirk491]

Hey guys, great video, just like to point out that a lot of what has been printed by the media is not what was actually discussed during 'chats' with journalists. I am the owner of Betty's shop and about 90% of what the Sun printed I did not actually say. We don't hate the people that are buying and building, not ideal for us as a community during the winter months, but the view most of us have is definitely not Hollywood on Sea, that is something else made up by the media. I do agree with the view of the 'boxes' on the landscape everywhere, I grew up in the area and have owned the shop since 2003, the changes in the last 20 years is phenomenal!! Stanley Tucci doesn't have a property here, we asked him when he was in the shop 😅, the only ones we know for definite are Cate Blanchett and Jason Statham. He has visited the shop many times but we have yet to see Cate.

[@evevening7995]

Hi Sarah and Andrew, it's great to see you back. It's a very interesting video, thanks 👍👍

[@chrish3472]

Pleased to be able to get my Friday fix from you guys again, going forward I hope you will still do some "circular walks with the dogs along the coast path" type videos, i loved those chilled out strolls along the coast path passing through small coves, villages and places of interest along the way, it always felt like i was walking along with you, a real escape from the daily hum drum.

[@christineduke6096]

All very depressing to spoil these wonderful areas.

[@HerAeolianHarp]

Thanks for an interesting video! This issue is widespread. My Anglo-American family have spent lots of time in Cornwall, especially ten years ago, and we could see changes that reminded us of Coastal California. We opt to stay in quieter places around Helston, and we journey out from there. California, where so many of these A-listers have homes, has similar issues, but it is actually also a lot of foreign investors buying up second homes, and even anchor homes, and then the homes sit empty, massive and devoid of life. In some cases they become airbnb properties, bringing other issues.

[@RM-li9ty]

Heartbreaking. What I wonder is what happens to our access to the SW coast path and areas near to them? Will they be restricted or taken away for the public to use in the future so security and privacy can be maintained for them?

[@PhilipInCoventry]

Where I live in Coventry I don't think that we are in danger of Celeb takeovers, but what does harm a community, is where the folks moving in are not part of that community. That spells the end of local services.

[@cornwallparanormalresearch2378]

Thumbs up Big like 👍 👌

[@trevorhare9393]

17:05 looks like a small retail warehouse.

[@joyhursey1480]

I agree with Andrew, it is sad to see these lovely scenic bays ruined by over development but as per usual money talks and anything thing is possible when you got plenty of money to spend. I have been visiting Cornwall since the sixties and now 70 and it has changed so much over the years unfortunately they call that progress. I still visit but it’s not the Cornwall I first fell in love with.

[@ChristineSmart-b1p]

Many happy summer holidays in Mawgan Porth from the 50's onwards. Starting in the caravan park then as my parents had a little more cash, we rented Trenault. It is so sad to see the character of this piece of heaven change so much. Progress!

[@wilffrith7768]

Although not Cornish, my 16.5 years I lived in Cornwall is more than my birthplace of London and I regret ever leaving Penwith but could not now afford anywhere, with only 60k to play with. I dislike how some of these celebs treat Cornwall as their latest play-thing and could just sell up and do the same elsewhere, as the fashion and mood takes them, having caused waves of problems rolling on into the future for the less well off. Plus, many of their properties seem cold and unattractive to me.

[@Missfrankiecat]

Not a local but been coming to Mawgan Porth on holiday as a child and then for nearly 50 years off and on. The change in the last 5 years has been very negative. Even at Easter this year (used to be start of season) the place was dead. Even the two hotels, Scarlet and the older Bedruthan Steps are suffering because there is nowhere to house the staff needed to run them well enough to service the level of tariff they charge, so service is dropping. As for the damage to the landscape... So sad, but greed is destroying the local economy, community and landscape.

[@Somersetmanwalking]

To Be Fair i honestly think this is happening in a lot of places. i live in a very small village in Somerset which has tripled in size over the last 10 to 20 years and is actually now not so small. also it's not got the infrastructure to support all the new highly expensive dwellings. another thing is that when i used to walk around the village everyone said hello, or morning Ect. the new people don't seem to interact and i feel that the village is slowly dying and losing it's sense of Community. it's such a shame.

[@AnthropoidOne]

Same here. Lots of places from my childhood obliterated. No end in sight😢🇺🇸

[@mikeoglen6848]

Do you live in California, by any chance?@@AnthropoidOne

[@AnthropoidOne]

@@mikeoglen6848 NC

[@debdavet-cornwallandbeyond1649]

Another really interesting and informative video guys. As we explore ourselves along the SW Coast Path, we can't help but be awed and sad at the same time, as we see these epic constructions, taking over certain parts of our local landscape.

[@amazinggrace4036]

So lovely to see you again! Hope your holidays were grand! Thank you for an informative video! So we have a Hollywood down the mountain from me….amazing … be well and all the best to you both for 2024 😊

[@02playman]

I live there and what’s been built looks no worse than the properties that have been squeezed in over the last 80 years. In fact, they actually blend in better. The ones that have spoiled it are the ones that sold their bungalow plots in the first place

[@lamoroma]

I've just purchased a lodge at Mawgan Porth. It's at SunHaven Lovat parks. It's in the valley bit, and a 20min walk to the beach. It's a beautiful parkland park, and very peaceful. Obviously the lodge was a lot cheaper than those houses but still in that affordable bracket especially to get one here. I feel very lucky, and grateful. As long as money is brought into Mawgan Porth and helps I'm all for it in a good way. It feels like home when I'm down there. It is a very special magical place.

[@proudmama2400]

I don't know how to put into words what I'm thinking or feeling about this discovery. Dare I say, I'm an American coming to visit Cornwall for the first time this April. I 'm so excited to see your beautiful coast, to walk along paths and gaze out across the ocean. I can't wait to take in the history and architecture and local flavor. But it will be sad to stumble upon the "Malibu, California " coastline whilst out for a stroll. I am coming to Cornwall and Scotland to see, experience and appreciate all the beauty and history I can in a short time frame. I am thankful the Lord has given me this opportunity. And may I say thank you, Sarah and Andrew , for your wonderful videos. I've been watching them to prepare myself for the trip. 😊

[@andrewwoodward2892]

I'm from Herefordshire and it happening here as well where the local children can't afford to stay in the village where they grew up

[@mikeoglen6848]

A very Interesting Piece. I don't know this area too well but I have noticed Monstrous Carbuncles springing up all over Cornwall despoiling much loved views of beachfronts, cliffs etc. And this and this grotesque Phenomenon is not just confined to Cornwall...

[@markdfly]

Welcome back guys great video. I stay at Porth just up the road from Mawgan. Porth has a lovely flat beach very kid friendly and a lovely pub the Mermaid. That stretch of the coast from Newquay to Padstow is amazing.

[@gordonsimpson3235]

Welcome back....missed you. I cant quite see why celebrities would want to be in Mawgan Porth....I like the 'kiss me quick hat' nature of this typical English resort, but I wouldn't choose to stay here, let alone buy/Invest millions in a property. Not much privacy either with the coastal path passing a few yards away. The Blanchett house was quite cute....unlike the Telly Tubby house being built....what are the local council thinking signing it off? Why would you want a 'pool house' when you have a Cornish beach for gods sake? If they want beaches to surf on surely California has 'bigger and better', albeit also having things with big teeth to 'nibble' you! You will probably find that IF they actually own a house here, they have actually visited it once or twice....merely being an investment. There are so many instances of the rumour mill grinding into action suggesting that an A lister is buying a property, just because they have been seen in the area.....once. Surely Kate Blanchett isn't THAT influential that others follow like sheep?? I think it looks a mess, but that's just my opinion. Crantock is now overlooked by huge houses on the Gannel side of the beach....again simple family holiday homes snapped up, flattened and replaced with huge edifices. I can completely understand why locals get upset, and I think it does absolutely nothing good for Cornwall.

[@donnalowe9334]

Look what happened to California.....so many live on the streets. Some take it out on those who have homes in very bad manner. Not what is needed in Cornwall. The tasteless pirates have INVADED!!!!!

[@VirginiaFoss]

No gate leaning as the fences too high x I’m going to have a look, chuckled, brilliant xx❤

[@helenbosworth5950]

Hello Sarah and Andrew lovely to see you back . Them houses look very expensive .

[@lulabellegnostic8402]

I lived in N Cornwall in a bay by the sea 5yrs ago. In winter i was the only resident. My family had lived in the area 30 yrs before where the majority of homes ( mainly post war bungalows) were lived in by retirees year round. These were bought up by second home owners who exploit a loop hole in council tax: they declare the house as a holiday let to avoid council tax. They then manage to not let the property enough so they incur losses thus pay no tax at all. The only way to overcome this is for the Council to take charge of letting these properties or force the owners to pay 10x the band.

[@violetmoonofthenorth]

How sad for the local community, who’s ancestors have lived there for hundreds of years… being pushed out by corruption & money.

[@SteveElliott-s3w]

Hi Andrew&Sarah I love your walking Trails very interesting and Very Addictive

[@jamessawyer6671]

Hello you two nice to see you back have missed you the last couple of Fridays. Did see Andrew a couple of weekends ago was going to say hello but he was busy working.

[@neilcurson4505]

We have been visiting Mawgan Porth for over 50 years and have watched the changes. Our son now lives in St Columb and pays rent of over £1000 per month. In the brighter side our grandson is a builder working on the conversion of the old lifeboat building at Hawkers Cove near Padstow,

[@mikeoglen6848]

Converting into what exactly? Another Hollywood Mansion?

[@bernicebest]

Hi. Sarah and Andrew, hope you had a lovely well earned break, I sympathise with the local communities having their beautiful coastal areas taken over, as one commenter pointed out they may only be visited a couple of times a year, maybe leading to more serious consequences arising, a more worrying issue for me is how close some are built to the cliff edges, when seas are predicted to rise with global warming, already many coastlines are eroding and properties are falling into the sea and this ever changing weather and violent storms are really worrying….do these rich celebrities have so much money that isn’t a concern to them…. Privileges can easily be taken away from them in an uncertain world…. ask some of the unfortunate people who are now living on the streets, or converted rubbish containers! Is it really 2024. sometimes it must be more like living in the dark ages for some people:). Great start to your weekly roving reports Sarah & Andrew 👍

[@MsKahuna23]

Local people seem to be pricing themselves out..... besides, the redevelopment is bringing employment to deprived areas, more business opportunities and are definitely more eco-friendly.

[@trevorhare9393]

It’s been happening for years. David Cornwell (John Le Carre) has had a clifftop property in Cornwall for decades and he was quite rich. (Left £17.9 million in his will when he died in 2021.) His cottage sold for £3 million last year.

[@Ann65.]

They are destroying the landscape imo. Don’t they have more than enough land in the US?

[@cynthiastogden7000]

No Billy Gates has bought it all.😂

[@evie.3625]

Apparently when Poldark was being filmed they had to do a lot of it in other parts of England because so many old villages and houses had been knocked down to make way for these pointy, glass monstrosities. They wouldn’t be allowed to do this in the Lake District or the Pennines. Cornwall has so many Areas of outstanding natural beauty, yet Cornwall council allows this. Then again Cornwall council isn’t fit for purpose, they gave permission for a crematorium to be built in between Widemouth bay and open countryside where cattle are grazed and people live. This, thank goodness was fought against by local people and has now been denied. Cornwall council was asked what the hell did they think they were doing. If Cornwall council had their way ordinary people would be shunted out and rich people with no taste would be able to come in and pay to do as they please! There are people being put out of rented accommodation because the landlord can now get more money by using it as an air B+B, what is the council doing? Developers are coming in and building houses locals are killing themselves to afford, who can afford over £300.000for a tiny 2/3 bedroom house with a tiny garden? They are bought by people from the cities who can afford more. (I’m not saying that everyone from a city is rich) but Cornwall council needs to help local people a damn sight more than they allege they do!

[@markwatkins8309]

I went there on holiday a few years ago - didn't think much of the beach tbh. Nothing in Cornwall beats Hayle beach (3 miles of golden sand).

[@colinbaker3415]

Welcome back. I was surprised as to how close you could get to some of these properties, and their proximity to the coast path. Surely if you build a mega mansion its for privacy and peacefulness. As Premier league footballers are finding, these type of properties indicate wealth, and with it comes crime. These homes may be secure but what is the knock-on effect for the rest of Mawgan Porth ? How long before Cornwall live is reporting a massive crime wave in the area? And isn't Newquay airport being lined up as a spaceport? That'll shake their Martini cocktails!!

[@kevinweatheritt]

Great to see you both back after your short break, looking forward to some great content through 2024. Glad to hear Andrew has not lost his ability to concoct puns from thin air. To answer your question was there a Mrs Bond, there was , the late Diana Rigg married James in On her Majesty`s Secret Service.

[@yamyam_1978]

Absolute madness ! Those prices 😮😮😮

[@donnawilkes8954]

So sad to see the old cottages torn down. We live in a small city in the US. Parts of the older sections are protected by being in a designated historic district, but the huge subdivisions with cookie cutter houses built on tiny lots are surrounding the city center.

[@SpanishEclectic]

Oh my. Welcome to the coast of California. Stanley Tucci is married to Felicity Blunt, literary agent and sister of actress Emily Blunt. We've had construction here too, with new, ugly buildings (apartments that are supposedly "affordable") squeezed into single lots where old houses were torn down. I don't object when these developments take over failed shopping malls, or run-down commercial properties along bus lines, etc., but these celebrity mansions are changing the character of your beautiful seaside. I think the negative effects on the locals are sad. I just read that Palm Springs, CA, has put a limit on Air-B & Bs, and housing prices dropped like crazy. Ugh. Not a good situation. I've missed you two on my Saturday mornings. Hope all is well. :)

[@chaddamp2894]

Act of parliament required to halt the advance of those with money continualy buying up properties that ordinary folk should be able to buy and live in...

[@carotrike]

But unfortunately the people in charge of this country are in the same financial league. Possibly mates. So nothing will happen!

[@evie.3625]

Parliament relaxed the building laws about 5/6 years ago. It all needs to come to a stop. We lived for a few years in a small town in between Brighton and Worthing, it’s now got huge blocks of flats along the main road, there are flooding issues along the river but still they go up. Apparently another council up country has bought a whole load of these places to rent to people they don’t want. Good for thought, the developers don’t care they build, councils pay them and they move on to the next patch of land. I can’t see this being stopped by any government of any kind. They just don’t care.

[@sandrawoodall6545]

Hi it’s nice to see you back. As for those houses there horrible with no imagination put into them at all. They look like doctor surgery’s or libraries.they ruin the beautiful landscape.

[@rebeccarendle3706]

Interesting vlog! Crazy though. All RAF bases have 1 mile long runways. I understand the people selling wanted to get a lot of money for their house, then they become wealthy and live comfortably. But it is sad for the local community. The 2nd home issue definately needs addressing.

[@PhilipInCoventry]

Just so love seeing you, no matter the issues.

[@dawncrisp8531]

Who gives them permission to build such buildings. Money talks, it’s happening all around the country. It’s just a shame that local people get pushed out. Maybe those that are building all of these properties should show concerns for the area and put money back in to the area big time or be charged a very large premium and I mean big big premium. Thanks for sharing this

[@creativeartwellbeing]

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if these celebrities helped the local council with some of the projects that they can’t now afford to run for the Cornish local people…

[@musicfoodie8420]

We have stayed at The Scarlett several times and absolutely love the area for its quaint and stunning views. Definitely changing the area.

[@trudysimms1564]

Where ever there is a coastal town or village, there will be second homeowners, Norfolk, Suffolk, etc. Places such as Aldeburgh, Southwold have the exact same problem and these places always have had this issue, however on a grander scale nowadays. As people in higher paid jobs (in London) earn the money to afford second homes. Whilst greedy people keep selling them, greedy people will keep buying them! What I find to be extremely sad is that overall, perfectly sound and aesthetically pleasing properties are being demolished to make way for these ugly monstrosities! How do these celebrities expect to achieve privacy in a bolthole made mainly of glass?

[@mikeoglen6848]

Yes, agreed. So sad the Bobtails was razed...

[@heatherdepasquale9803]

Just finished watching a Harlan Coben thriller, Polish “Hold Tight”. I was amazed to see a posh futuristic looking neighborhood just outside Warsaw featured in all the episodes. It really is worth a look and easy to find…on Netflix in the US. I’ve never seen such a uniform housing configuration. All the houses and driveways the same. A bit creepy. In Chicago we have some modern houses go up. But many of the wealthiest houses that go up are traditional (sometimes Georgian) brick homes. I’ve never seen a neighborhood here with all the same style housing. I definitely don’t know what it feels like to be a part of this. I just hate to see the true Cornish in blood and/or in spirit lose their land and livelihood once again.

[@PatGleeson-q6n]

When i was young, we used to holiday every year in Mawgan Porth. We started in the caravan park and then 'graduated' to renting Trenalt on the cliffs. We loved that house and i have so many happy memories of it. I even revused for my A levels there! It has been sold on now from its original owners and has a new name but is still a holiday let (now unaffordable for me), but i was pleased to see that it has been modernised but retains its original features. The other houses being built are ugly monstrosities. Interesting to see you map - should we ever be able to afford Trenalt again, Cate Blanchett will be tge clise neighbour ☹

[@mattylf1]

I think this is happening everywhere now, be that previous properties being demolished and somethng "James Bond" like being built in it's place or converting. Problem is when you have a lot of these holiday homes together it can turn that area into a bit of a ghost town when they are not being used. Hopefully this having a nice bay for people to visit will keep it vibrant all year round.

[@mikeoglen6848]

People may be excluded at some point, for Security reasons..?

[@Flatmat]

Good video. Newquay airport is only 2-3 mins away, so expect more A-listers to arrive.

[@paulinefoster1126]

Lovely go see mawgan porth. I t was a favourite beach in the 70 of ours . My mum and dad used to stay I a hotel on the right looking out to sea . There was a Scandinavian house on the cliff that was for sale for £7000 pounds of only we had bought it . We were newly married and had bought our house in 67 so couldn’t buy another 😂

[@evevening7995]

If there is one thing I can't stand, it is grey and black window frames. What is wrong with white, I don't like the new building. It's a beautiful location being ruined 🤨 , once again, Sarah and Andrew thank you.

[@keefr22]

Much the same happening in a lot of Wales with second homes pricing local people out. I can't believe so many of those carbuncles (as I bet King Charles would call them!) have acres of flat roofs - they're nothing but trouble if not installed 100% correctly - how many of those ''A-listers'' will arrive for their 2 weeks in summer to find a bunch of collapsed ceilings and flooded rooms...!! 😂

[@jenniferlittlechild5839]

It is not just happening in Cornwall, or the UK .. there are the exact same complaints over here in Australia .. people are being priced out of the market due to the wealth divide, & the airbnb type market … less rental properties for those who can afford to buy Mind you, we do watch ‘Grand Designs’, with Kevin McCloud, & this style of house is not unknown in the UK … but I feel it is important that if they remove an existing property, that what they build is sympathetic to the environment, & the building that is demolished was not of heritage. It looks a sleeping coastal village, but the properties there do not look as traditional, or as heritage as other Cornish towns. I don’t understand why these properties are being sold at such high asking prices for what they are? There must be a huge difference in how properties are being sold in the UK to here in Australia … or is the value of all coastal properties in Cornwall becoming as expensive? I know there are many coastal areas here in Australia that you simply cannot even dream of buying in unless you have wealth. Yes with that airport nearby, it will be ideal for actors wanting to get out of London, or areas of Europe when not needed onset, or onstage … or the UK is their base. We have a few coastal areas here in Australia that are popular with celebrities .. but they are also getting the tourists into the regions who want to hang out near them🙄

[@peterbrewer6104]

Amazing houses? I’d rather have a traditional cottage/bungalow. It’s so sad to see these monstrosities being put up in the lovely countryside villages. Whether it’s Cornwall or any other West Country village. As I said, so sad 🥺

[@cynthiastogden7000]

They knocked down a lovely white house called Pied dans L'eau overlooking Fowey and built a ( to me) obscene glass monstrosity. It was raffled on Omaze and is evidently worth over 4m now. Crossing on Boddinick Ferry it stands out like a very sore thumb.

[@mikeoglen6848]

That sounds Grotesque, but I think it is a process going on in may other places...@@cynthiastogden7000

[@qman2261]

Spot on comment. You think that way because you're neither vulgar nor ignorant.

[@bonnieconlin9727]

It’s the same in Rock, Trebetherick and Daymer. It’s such a shame and I really feel for the born and bred Cornish people who don’t stand a chance of owning a home, or even renting because air bnb has taken over.

[@jankitteringham8483]

Great joke Andrew. Thanks to you both. 🥰🇬🇧

[@99shoebox]

I think the council should either stop second homes or, like in some beauty spots in Wales, they can only buy a property if it is their permanent primary home. I think they’ve done that in St Ives. The celebrities spend many months away around the world, so may just be using these UGLY homes as occssional holiday homes. It will destroy the village. I was sad to see some of the lovely homes being demolished. ☹️. The other issue is the horrible downright UGLY designs of the homes! The planning office should be more particular with their planning grants. This is not LA! They should have buildings that are more in keeping with the area, more subtle and aethetically pleasing. These are definitely NOT! As a side note, maybe the celebrities could find some way to support the local community, help support housing schemes for local people or something. But any celebrities out there, PLEASE stop building UGLY, drab, square boxes!!

[@MegaMesozoic]

In my experience of Cornish weather in the winter, acres of plate glass is not a good idea!

[@jimmymorrison8314]

Like watching points of view.

[@annajeram9251]

I love your detector skills!

[@WolfmanWoody]

Kate Blanchett and Jason Statham are the only two I recognised. This reminds me of the song Little Boxes on a Hillside. What value does these people add to the community? They'll not be there most of the time and probably won't spend money in the local stores; all be delivered from Fortnum and Mason. We have George Clooney nearby and his contribution was to ban fishing from a beautiful weirpool we used to enjoy. Wasters! Oh, and nice to see you back. Andrew has been practising with his puns. 😅

[@mikeoglen6848]

Would those Little Boxes be the ones made out of Ticky Tacky?

[@WolfmanWoody]

@@mikeoglen6848 Exactly the same except these aren't owned by families with children and the man is in business. These homes will rarely be even seen and will remain an empty shell for most of the year. The same was happening in Wales in the 1970s. They're assets, no more.

[@kcphillips1000]

Surprised the local planning department are allowing development of these "Blots on the Landscape" .Probably something to do with cash and "bungs".

[@SecretGardener9736]

These A listers are the very same people telling us our lives should be sustainable as the climate changes. Flying over to the UK once a year, if that, to holiday is not sustainable and to knock down a perfectly good house and erect a bland box that doesn't have any link to Cornwall shows that these people and others from the wealthy south east are ruining our beautiful coastline villages and towns.

[@mikeoglen6848]

Agreed.

[@theenglishherbalist]

I would never ever purchase one of those properties, even if I could afford to. It forms part of such superficiality and falseness that is governed only by fools who place ego (wealth and power), over true inner happiness. We live in Cornwall (the home of my ancestors) in an off-grid tiny home without electricity and running water. True personal wealth to us is rising each day with bird song, cooking meals amongst the trees and listening to the song of the sea. Authentic, riches beyond measure, true experiences that cannot be valued. Those houses resemble G.P surgeries and maybe they're subliminally meant to. True health, wealth and happiness will never be found with silver.

[@Gainn]

The boring box-on-box houses are noisy. Both aesthetically and environmentally. Hopefully this 'reimagining' doesn't move too much further up the coast.

[@nigelbannister6407]

What a brilliant insite to what's happening in Mawgan Porth. We have stayed in Mawgan Porth at the Marver Campsite for the last five years and Sun Valley campsite one year. We love Mawgan Porth but have noticed a distinct change in the place. This will be our last year in Mawgan Porth as developers are buying both the Magic Cove and Marver campsites. Sun Valley now does nt have tourers on the site. It's a crying shame what is happening. We have spoken to locals while we have been out and about and they are so unhappy with the situation. It is a crying shame for such a wonderful place. These so called stars won't be nipping in to Merrymoor for a pint or a meal or nipping into Betty's for a paper. Also they won't going into Cornish fresh or buying hoodies from Married to the sea. They won't care. They won't care about the local economy I think it absolutely stinks. You have highlighted it so very well won't a brilliant vlog.

[@louisetrevelyan2059]

Very good video thanks. The ripple effects are the most concerning and it’s a problem that definitely needs addressing. I think from a design perspective they’re better suited to the environment as they don’t stand out like the stark and white older ones do - don’t forget that you say they were all originally designed as holiday homes too and all look pretty similar (I wonder if the celebrities weren’t able to get planning to rebuild then would they still want them 🤔) I was on the coast path near Trebetherick and the big old houses there are all very similar looking to each other- big and white- and all empty obviously purpose built holiday homes too. It’s been going on for 100 years it seems.

[@emmabrmly11]

Love this video

[@junehitchcock170]

Cornish councils are letting their locals down. Vote them out!!

[@Robert-fc2jn]

Hi Sarah and Andrew. Hope you are feeling refreshed after your break! Quite a controversial one to start the New Year, with the media using words like 'flock to'; 'flooded with' etc., to make it even more so. You asked for examples from other areas/countries. Although I don't live in the USA, I have connections with the very beautiful one-mile-square village of Carmel-by-the-Sea in central California. When my cousin moved there in the 1960s it was still populated by many of the original inhabitants from the early part of the century and almost every house was lived in full time. Consequently people knew one another and there was a strong community spirit. Over the years properties were bought by rich and famous people who wanted a quiet place to get away from it all, and property prices shot up. Gradually they were only occupied part time, until today more than 50% are empty for much of the time. To overcome the loss of revenue from taxes, the village has promoted tourism, and today it represents the largest single source of income. They manage to control the property market by the process of 'legal hurdles'. You can buy a property if you have the money but, if you want to make any changes there are numerous laws you have to satisfy including respecting the trees that grow everywhere! If your house has a tree growing against it you will probably have to take a bit off your house rather than trimming the tree. Damage the roots and you will get a heavy fine! There is at present a billionaire businessman who bought a lot of property ($30 million here and $20 million there) in the village and one particular development, which involves a complete rebuild, has had the plans rejected at least 6 times. This has been going on for years. I think the aim is to slow change (especially to the style of the building) or, if possible, stop it by use of the law. Perhaps planners in Cornwall could be persuaded to find a similar system. Because prices are so high the staff needed to deal with the tourists in shops and hotels are hard to find and they end up commuting really long distances. This is another problem, because it seems to me the residents of Carmel don't really want them living in the village. Whenever anyone talks about affordable housing, there always seems to be a reason why it can't be built. Sorry I don't have a more satisfactory answer. It will be interesting to see how the development of Mawgan Porth works out.

[@99shoebox]

I know what will happen now, the little village will get gentrified, and expensive restaurants and wine bars will pop up that no one can afford, like it has in St Ives. Not a tea shop or Cornish cream tea to be seen, but not just that, it’s the essence of what Cornwall is that is in danger of being lost completely. Only rich people are welcome now, apparently. The sad thing is that it is destroying the very reason why Cornwall was so popular in the first place. 😢

[@jrknight3776]

Happy new year so good to see you back we missed you we're not into celebs anymore only youtube celebs. Lol. It's crazy what they get away with. People in Penarth S wales were stopped from going on the pier there because of Dr who being filmed. The locals weren't happy . I watched a youtube channel where Urban explorers went into James Cordens abandoned house just left to rot. 😢

[@John-s3t6q]

Not Water gate bay then . Not been there at all then.

[@Oceanstarz]

We can’t get Cleaners …. all booked up cleaning 5star properties/Holiday Homes 😱

[@gigiknowsbest7391]

I’m so sad about this.

[@stevestone1171]

Great to see you back and thanks again for another fine vlog. Not sure about the style of the trendy properties but accept it is rather subjective. Dread to think what our hero Sir John Benjamin would have thought of them. He, like us, loved historic buildings but was not against modern style subject to their location etc.

[@mikeoglen6848]

I suspect he would have wished the same fate for these 'properties' as he did for Slough...?

[@cornwall9]

It's a free country. You can buy and live where you want. So what if people want another home in another part of the country or world. Somebody one day sold them! Cornish sold out! It's the same everywhere. There needs to be more houses built for young people, don't pipe on those holiday homes could be owned by locals. Locals would not pay the asking prices set by locals or venders.

[@mythimnaferrago3481]

Excellent reporting YOU TWO!!! much enlightenment gained. Cornwall County Council/planning boys must be largely to blame surely? Suspect its a case of money talks/merit walks kind of thing. Destroying all those 1930s houses with such gay abandon , maybe there needs to be some preservation order put on them? but of course it would be the planning boys who are respondsible for that so there really is no answer....its all too sad....

[@MarkS-e9r]

Some of what you say is true, but as a local you can’t blame the rich people for buying up the house. It’s local people that are quite happy and willing to sell it to them in the first place. They could sell it to people in the village, but guess what they all want to jump on the bandwagon and make as much money as possible. They are not bothered about the community. And before anyone says anything I’m proud Cornish man who family has lived here since 1575.

[@terrilowe3530]

Sorry to see this. Just sad.