A Cornish beach has been listed for sale at £3million, drawing anger from local residents.
Loe Beach, in Feock, sits in an affluent part of Cornwall known as "Millionaire's Row". Villagers fear it could be "bought up" by a celebrity joining the growing list of A-listers who live nearby. The coastline has been described as "much-loved" and has been used by locals and visitors for generations.
The local council said it has arranged a public meeting to discuss the beach going on the market, following significant alarm from residents over the future of the coastline. The sale includes more than six acres of land and 78 metres of foreshore, covering a private beach, car park, boat storage, a café, watersports facilities and grazing land.
Locals shared fears that the site could be bought by a wealthy developer. One said: "I wander how many people in Cornwall can afford that? I see an invasion coming on like a few places in Devon." Another said: "They do call it millionaires row. I just hope it’s not bought by a developer."
Other villagers raised concerns over potential access issues after the sale. One person said: "There's enough rich folk there who want access to ensure it doesn’t get made totally private."
Another local added: "No part off our coastline should ever be private with the exception of mod requirements. It is outrageous how they can sell off the shore line in Cornwall?"
Feock Parish Council said it will discuss the beach sale at a meeting later this month, after being contacted by a number of worried residents.
The local authority said: "Loe Beach is a much-loved and valuable community facility and we understand the strength of feeling about its future. Members of the public are welcome to attend and speak during the public participation session at the start of the next council meeting on Monday, September 21, at 6pm at the Old Market Hall, Market Street, Devoran."
Loe Beach sits on the western shore of the Fal Estuary. The current owners and sellers receive income from the car park and rents paid by commercial operators based at the site.
Property consultants Vickery Holman are handling the sale and hailed the beach as a "special piece of real estate". The company said there had already been strong interest from prospective buyers.
It said any purchasers could either retain the existing arrangements or consider sensitive improvements to the facilities, subject to the necessary consents.
A spokesperson said: "A heaven for watersports with immediate access to the Fal river this is a truly special location to include the beach to low mean water, a rare and commercially positive situation. Having been in family ownership over many generations and is now available by way of informal tender.
"The land holding available provides for the beach side car park, which doubles as boat storage, café and 'top field' to the rear. Ample opportunity exists for a new owner to either maintain the status quo or to sensitively improve facilities. Either way this is a special piece of real estate."
Furious Residents React as £3m Cornish Beach Goes on Sale