KERNOW - NO NOTIFICATION OF 'WAR GAME'
Cornwall County Council (CCC) have responded to a number of queries from the Celtic League about a military exercise. They say no permission was needed or sought from CCC for the exercise and no complaints were received.
Its unusual for community notification about such exercises not to be given and indeed in other Celtic countries military exercise timetable notification is now provided as a matter of course. Some people were annoyed by the exercise activity as the decision of the GS of the League to write to CCC was prompted by concerns conveyed to him.
The Celtic League are grateful for the prompt response from Cornwall County Council.
"Dear Rhisiart
Mr Whalley has asked me to reply on his behalf to your email.
The Royal Marines in Plymouth have made provided the Council with the following statement:
"Royal Marines have been training on a Cornwall beach to prepare for a naval deployment. Marines from 40 Commando, 539 Commando Royal Marines from Plymouth, and 9 Assault Squadron based on HMS Ocean took part in the exercise on Pentewan Beach, near Mevagissy (sic).
The operation was to test the capabilities of HMS Ocean and the Royal Marines to get troops ashore at short notice ahead of deployment in the Far East later this month"
Pentewan is jointly owned by Tremayne Will Trust and Pentewan Sands Ltd. so permission from CCC was not required. None of the beaches used were owned by the County Council. Any complaints about low flying should be forwarded to RNAS Culdrose in the first instance. Obstruction of the highway is a County Council matter, but no formal complaints were received by us during the period of the exercise.
In answer to numbered questions you posed:
No No, this is done on a case-by-case basis only if MOD wish to use land or facilities owned or controlled by the County Council Not officially informed, but noted from media Yes Yes. BBC and local press We are unaware of public safety measures. This is a matter for the MOD, and HSE (if an accident occurs) We are unaware of any public rights of ways issues arising from this activity. Don't know and not a question the County Council can answer.
I trust this is helpful.
John Sawle Head of the Chief Executive's Private Office County Hall Truro TR1 3AY"
Related article on Celtic News at:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League 22/02/09
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