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Briefing and advice notes.

Gunton Sands, Corton, near Lowestoft

The threatened removal of clothes optional designation is being handled by Allan Kidney, the Eastern Region Representative on the BN National Executive.

Waveney District Council is consulting to find an alternative location. It closes on 25th September. There is a joint BN/WDC press release giving the details. If you do not respond you will not be heard!

Links

Email to British Naturism concerning this issue should be sent to Allan Kidney, the Regional Representative on the National Executive.

Defra guidance to local authorities:

• Covering page
• Main document
• Amended Annex

British Naturism guidance:

• Briefing and advice notes. Coastal management, statistics, attitudes, beach code, prejudice and numerous other topics.

British Naturism forums (members only):

• Press release topic

Other links:

• Waveney District Council.
• The WDC consultation to find a beach.

The bare essentials

Background:

• The beach is administered by Waveney District Council.
• It is not a just a naturist beach, anyone can use it and swim suits can be worn.
• It has been used by naturists since at least the 1930s and they probably always have. Swim suits are a recent invention.
• In the 1970s the clothes optional status was made official and it was moved a few hundred yards to a poorer, smaller and less accessible stretch of beach.
• It was designated about a week before the beach at Brighton so it was the first.
• Now WDC intend to abolish even that.
• Despite the quality it is one of the most heavily used beaches in the area.
• The nearest alternatives are two hours drive north at Holkham or three hours drive south in Kent. The environment will be harmed because people will drive further or go abroad for their holidays.
• A four or five hour round trip to reach a designated naturist beach is ludicrous.
• Closing the beach will reduce access to beaches not increase it,
• It is discrimination
• The council contributed to the problem by putting up misleading notices which imply that only naturists can use the beach.
• The local economy will suffer. Indications from the Visit Britain web site are that it will cost the local economy several jobs.

Summary

Most beaches belong to The Crown and are leased to District Councils. Councils are not private land owners. They have a responsibility to administer beaches fairly and equitably for the benefit of everyone.

Corton Beach (also known as Gunton Sands) has been used by naturists since at least the 1930s. Swim suits are a recent invention so it has probably always been used by naturists. In the 1970s it was the first beach in the UK to be formally recognised as clothing optional. Brighton was not designated until a week later. It is now one of the most heavily used beaches in the area. It is not a naturist beach, it is clothing optional and anyone can use it whether they are wearing clothes or not.

Without any warning or discussion Waveney District Council decided to start the de-designation of the beach. The first that we heard of it was when a reporter phoned us a few days before the council cabinet meeting. We attempted to open discussions with the council but the requests were ignored until after the consultation had closed.

The government advice on good practice is crystal clear. Before making proposals talk to the appropriate representative organisations because they are likely to have expert knowledge that the council does not. The advice even gives the address and phone number of British Naturism. WDC did not have the courtesy to contact us before publishing a proposal and mistakes have been made.

Naturism is legal on that beach and it will remain legal even if the designation is withdrawn. There is a problem but it will be much easier to solve if it everyone concerned is working to find a constructive solution. Relations with the council have improved dramatically and BN is actively supporting them in trying to find an alternative location.