IT’S an idyllic seaside village famed for its miles of golden sand that has earned it the nickname ‘Costa Del Perran’ by locals.
But residents say sky high and terrible transport links is making their lives increasingly difficult – with some forced out and resorting to living in tents.
in Cornwall has been a popular holiday destination for generations, boasting one of the UK’s best beaches which is popular with surfers and families, and provides endless holiday accommodation and activities.
So much so that during the summer the village’s population swells from 3,000 people to 12,000.
And while locals embrace tourists, with most local businesses catering to seasonal trade, locals have been left sleeping in tents or caravans and enduring 10 mile drives to the local school that take up to an hour.
Second homeowners are often blamed for – there are currently 14,000 empty homes as residents struggle to afford their first home.
At Higgins Gift Shop, supervisor Sidnie Ray-Neeld, 22, said second homes have had a massive impact on the village.
She said: “It’s strange because there seems to be a lot of people in the town but nobody is spending any money.
“Normally by this time of year we would be open until 7pm, but it’s dead by 5pm and normally we would have about seven staff but we’re at three currently.
“Second homes must be a factor when over half the area is second homes and the rest is overpriced .
“I just moved away from because I can’t afford to live here any more.
“I know a lot of people who rent out their houses for the summer and go abroad or move in with family. Some even live in a caravan in their garden.”;
In April, Cornwall Council doubled council tax rates on all second homes to try to tackle the problem.
And figures released last month revealed house prices in Perranporth, located on the north coast, .
Despite the hefty reduction, average property prices in the region still remain north of £400,000 – almost double the national average.
With many locals priced out of the village, some are forced to use unreliable bus services to get to and from work and school.
While Perranporth has a primary school, the nearest secondary is 10 miles away in Truro, which often takes an hour or more by bus.
Villager Katie Mellor hires out surf boards on the beach in summer and does factory and bar work in winter.
She said: “It’s been quiet this summer and people that are around are not spending money.
“I have friends who own holiday accommodation and they still have lots of vacancies this summer.
“Second homes has had a massive impact on every village in Cornwall. All the time people are getting kicked out because their landlords are selling up and there is nowhere for them to go.
Buying here is completely out of the question for most villagers
Katie Mellor
“Buying here is completely out of the question for most villagers because wages are so low compared to house prices.
“The biggest problem I can see is lack of public transport. Bus services are so bad there are people in the village who work at the hospital in Truro and cannot even get to their shifts.
“My two children go to college in Truro but the bus is always half an hour to an hour late.
“Their teachers have been very good and understanding but it’s a real worry they could miss exams.”;
Despite this, business owners say they are proud of Perranporth’s friendly reputation – some even argue second homes and Airbnbs have a positive impact on businesses.
David Morrell, 60, owner of The Filling Station, a family-run sandwich shop in the village, said: “We have very loyal customers, both holidaymakers and locals, so we must be doing something right.
“The cost of housing in the village is definitely a concern for staff.
“I’ve noticed a lot of people selling their second homes recently, but it’s still not at a price where it’s accessible for the locals.
“There are a lot of local families who want to live in Perranporth but are just priced out at the moment.”;
‘Costa Del Perran’
Matt Burrell, 43, runs Pavillion Ice and neighbouring Haddock’s End fish and chip shop.
He said: “Families love coming here because of the 3.5 miles of golden sand, but locals love it too. We call it ‘Costa Del Perran’.
“House prices are a bit of a problem, you have to be able to save up £40,000 for a deposit and not many people here can do that.
“I know of people who move into a tent on a campsite for the summer and rent their house out because of the money they can make.
“I don’t think Airbnbs are a bad thing for the village, they have opened up one and two night stays, whereas before people would have to come for a week or not at all, so it’s bringing more people here for more of the year.”;
Bus services are so bad there are people in the village who work at the hospital in Truro and cannot even get to their shifts
Katie Mellor
Sammie Marshall of Marshall’s Clothing added: “There is a huge pressure to make money in the peak weeks because the winters are fairly quiet.
“We are open most of the year but it’s just my dad working.
“There was a lot of concern about people not coming to Cornwall but business has been ok this year. Tunes in the Dunes helped us out a lot as we were really busy that weekend.”;
One of Perranporth’s most popular attractions is the , which claims to be one of the oldest beach bars in the UK.
The bar, which opened in 1978, has tables right on the sand and has played host to some amazing live music including big names like , , and .
The bar also hosts music festivalTunes in the Dunes every year, claiming to be the only live music bar on the beach.
Historical roots
Along with great bars and activities, Perranporth also hosts some fascinating history.
There is a legend that says the patron saint of Cornwall, , was cast into the sea from Ireland by being tied to a millstone and washed up in the town.
St Piran built a Christian oratory in the dunes whose ruins from the 6th century are still preserved there to this day.
Families love coming here because of the 3.5 miles of golden sand, but locals love it too. We call it Costa Del Perran
Matt Burrell
He is credited with discovering tin, which would become the backbone of Cornwall’s industry, and people make a pilgrimage to the town on March 5 to commemorate the saint.
Surfers from all over the world also make the pilgrimage to Perranporth, which is known for its famous waves and is where the first UK surfboards were created.
After , soldiers returned home with stories of surfers they’d met on their travels.
These yarns then inspired Perranporth’s local undertaker and builder, Tom Tremewan, who designed and made the first bellyboards and surfboards, which he made out of coffin lids.
