Sennen Improvement Project 2024/5
After a year of dedicated effort, Sennen Parish Council secured Community Levelling up Funds in summer 2024 for the ‘Sennen Infrastructure and Accessibility Improvement Project’.
With guidance and support from Cornwall Rural Community Charity, Sennen Parish Council put together a funding bid to try and tackle some of the issues of the Parish – poor access from the top of the Parish to the Cove, a lack of places for community and visitor information, a lack of facilities for public transport users and a need to tidy up and boost the biodiversity of Sennen’s public spaces.
The Council was pleased to be informed by Cornwall Council that they would install the three requested bus shelters along the A30 to support the project, and this was swiftly followed by Cornwall Levelling Up Fund’s agreement to support the rest of the project.
The Project
Three bus shelters were installed along the A30, their placement designed particularly with our school children in mind. The shelters are glass for visibility with a ‘living sedum roof’ (planted with up to 16 varieties of low maintenance plants), and importantly, are enclosed to best protect users from the Cornish weather, making a huge difference to public transport users.
As an important, yet neglected off-road path to the Cove, Stonechair Lane was resurfaced to improve walking and wheelchair access to the Cove. The Parish Council had been very aware of local concerns over the condition of the lane and these works have made a great difference.
New signage panels have been installed to direct visitors to local footpaths and off-road access to the Cove. These also provide visitors with information about the area, its flora, fauna and history. A new, free to use telescope with an additional scope for for wheelchair users has been installed on the sea front to allow views of the lifeboat, the scenery and wildlife. The Council expects these facilities will encourage enjoyment and appreciation of the local area.
Parish noticeboards were installed both at the top of the hill and down in the Cove so that residents and visitors can keep up to date with council discussions and decisions and find out about local community news and events. The Council is keen to encourage participation in its activities and hopes other groups will also want to use the boards.
In November 2024, Cornwall Rural Enterprise and Skills Trust repaired and restored the Cornish hedge along the cycle way that runs through the centre of the village. CREST leaders and trainee Cornish hedgers surveyed and repaired the wall, taking out invasive and damaging plants and rebuilding problem sections and quoins. Once this was completed, the local community got involved in replanting the wall with low maintenance, attractive and biodiverse planting with hedge working days held by Sennen Nature Action Group (SNAG). The events have been really successful and the Council hopes even more people will feel encouraged to get involved in future.
As a final part of the project the Council aims to create an area of pollinating plants around the new bus shelter on the Mayon verge. Five trees were planted in Spring 2025 and an ornamental area was created with the remaining grass areas under-planted with spring bulbs. The Council hope to get school children and the wider community involved in looking after these attractive, more biodiverse areas.
We have been thrilled to have secured bus shelters for the Parish, as well as grant funding for a whole range of exciting improvements, and we encourage everyone to participate! Cllr Kate Hann, Chair
Find a more detailed project report here:
How to get involved
Come to a community gardening event – SNAG working day will be held regularly throughout the year, usually on the last weekend of the month. Tools, gloves and refreshments are provided.
Think about joining Sennen Parish Council as a Councillor. There are currently vacancies on the Parish Council so this is a good chance to get involved and help make a difference!
Finally, keep an eye on our website and Facebook account for details of future work and projects.
This project was part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Cornwall Council has been chosen by Government as a Lead Authority for the fund and is responsible for monitoring the progress of projects funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
