Management of Grassed Areas

Sennen Parish Council maintains grassed community spaces within the parish, see below for locations and detailed plans of these areas.

Grass cutting is carried out on a monthly basis between March and October, with an additional cut scheduled in December. All work is carried out by a contractor to a service level specified by a fixed term small-works contract. For more information see the calendar below

Pavements

In response to climatic and environmental changes, Sennen Parish Council has declared a Climate Emergency and a Biodiversity Emergency. The Council has adopted a Biodiversity Action Plan in an aim to identify steps that the Council and local residents can take to bring about biodiversity gain in the Parish.

The first of these steps taken was to phase out the use of chemical weed control on land managed by the Council. In previous years pavement edges have been sprayed on an annual basis. The grass cutting contractor is now required to strim and clear weed growth mechanically twice a year.

Pavements on the stretch of the A30 from Seaview bus stop at the start of the village, all the way to the entrance to Land’s End will be cleared twice a year in March and September. This includes the top of the kerb where the kerb meets the road surface. This does not include overhang onto the pavements from private properties.

Growth from a boundary hedge that separates a field or land from the road is the responsibility of the landowner. Landowners are encouraged to trim verges and hedges on their property boundaries so that growth does not overhang or encroach on footpaths, pavements and highways. Find more information about verge maintenance here

In 2025, as part of the Sennen Infrastructure and Accessibility Improvements Project, funded by the Cornwall Levelling Up Fund, Stonechair Lane was resurfaced to provide the required 1.5m footpath width along its length. Side growth will still be strimmed back to make the most of the new wider footpath. As drainage has been an issue down the side of the path, the drainage ditches will be strimmed and cuttings removed as part of the footpath schedule. The contractor is also required to clear the four drainage pipes running underneath the footpath surface to ensure they are free from obstruction.

Public Rights of Way

A public right of way is a route over land which the public has a legal right to use at any time.  Some paths may be surfaced although most are tracks across countryside owned by landowners. Cornwall Council’s Interactive Mapping can be viewed to find all public rights of way in Sennen Parish. Click on a footpath to find its path number – all paths in Sennen Parish begin 118.

Rights and Responsibilities

The Local Authority, landowners and the public each have rights and responsibilities with regard to public rights of way:

The Public Rights of Way Definitive Map (and Modification Orders in Sennen)

Cornwall Council, as “surveying authority” keep a Definitive Map and Statement of public rights of way.

Sennen Parish Council holds a copy of the Definitive Map and Statement showing network of public rights of way in the Parish. This can be viewed by appointment – Contact Us

Cornwall Council will only amend the Definitive Map and Statement to add public rights of way if evidence is presented as part of a Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO).

There are several registered Modification Orders in Sennen Parish, details can be viewed here:

Cornwall Council consults with the Parish Council and local residents when deciding an application. Find details of live and recent (2025) consultations here:

Public Rights of Way Maintenance

Sennen Parish Council works in a Landscape Management Partnership (LMP) with Cornwall Council to maintain public rights of way in Sennen Parish.

The Local Maintenance Partnership (LMP) is a partnership of Cornwall Council with over 170 Parish and Town Councils. It provides grants to local (parish and town) councils to organise trimming and minor works on public rights of way.

Sennen Parish Council maintains the most heavily used paths within the parish. Some of this cutting is subsidised by the LMP agreement, and additional cutting is funded by the Parish precept. All work is carried out by a contractor to a service level specified by a fixed term small-works contract.

Most paths are cut twice a year in May and July, however some heavily used paths are given two extra cuts a year in March and September. See the cutting calendar below.

Find a map and details of the footpaths cut by Sennen Parish Council’s contractors here:

Sennen Parish Council does not cut the South West Coast Path. This National Trail is maintained by Cornwall Council.

Cutting Calendar

Use the calendar below to easily view the cutting schedule 2025/26. Cuts generally take place in the third week of the month however this is dependent on weather and other factors.

Parish Councillors monitor local footpaths and report on areas which may need extra attention. Contact us with any issues regarding footpaths on the Parish Council cutting schedule.

Report a Footpath Issue

Report a concern about a footpath, bridleway or byway to Cornwall Council. Reportable issues include:

• Illegal use
• Obstruction
• Overgrown vegetation
• Surface defect

It is helpful to provide the path number when reporting an issue (e.g. 118/34/2). The path number can be found on Cornwall Council’s Interactive Map (here).

You can also make the Parish Council aware of your concern by talking to a Councillor or contacting the Clerk.

If there is a valid concern, the Parish Council will take action and/or report the issue to Cornwall Council. Parish Councillors cannot get involved in neighbour disputes.

Litter and Dog Fouling

Cornwall Council provides and empties bins for general waste and bins for dog mess in Sennen Parish. Several business and landowners also provide and empty general dog mess bins. Sennen Parish Council does not currently provide waste bins.

Report a Dog Fouling Issue

Dog fouling is an offence which may result in either a fixed penalty notice or prosecution and a fine. Dog fouling issues can be reported to Cornwall Council.

The following information should be provided:

• Date, time and location,
• As much information as possible about the incident witnessed,
• A description of the dog/owner
• Information about the offender if known (such as name and address, vehicle registration number or any other identifying feature)

You can also make the Parish Council aware of your concern by talking to a Councillor or contacting the Clerk.

If there is a valid concern, the Parish Council will report the issue to Cornwall Council. Parish Councillors cannot get involved in neighbour disputes.

Cornwall Council’s Dog Welfare and Enforcement Officer can be contacted on 0300 1234 212.