Cornwall Council says it is going to look for an alternative site for the dog poo bin after walkers complained it was spoiling their view of the sea, writes Local Democracy Reporter Lee Trewhela.

As reported in the Packet this week, the sudden appearance of a large dog poo bin slap bang in front of a coastal memorial bench raised a stink among walkers who regularly sit there to admire the view, which they said had now been ruined.

One Falmouth resident was aghast that the bin has been placed directly in front of the seat, which is situated at a popular spot on the coast path between Swanpool and Gyllyngvase beaches in the town.

Chris Bruce said: “The bench once offered a magnificent view of Pennance Point and even the Manacles on a clear day. It was a welcome resting place on the sharp climb up from Swanpool. Now, if you pause here, you see this bin.

“It’s not as if there’s a shortage of bins on this section of path, nor a shortage of alternative spots to plonk one. The busy work department of Cornwall Council take the biscuit. It takes a perverse kind of genius to dump so comprehensively on a place of beauty and delight – so congratulations on that!”

Mr Bruce, who has complained to the council, added: “Meanwhile, what, I wonder, do the family of sadly departed Nick Hirst make of the council’s utter disregard for his memory?”

His concerns are shared by town councillor Jude Robinson. Since complaints were made, Cornwall Council says it will now look for a suitable alternative location for the bin.

Falmouth town councillor Jude Robinson, who regularly walks her dog on the coast path, was also taken aback by the appearance of the bin.

She said: “It does feel very much in the line of sight. I think a few people would rather see the view than a bin.”

“There was a smaller bin there, which kept getting vandalised, which is the real problem. This was done with the best intentions to replace that with a bigger more vandal-proof bin but it should have been placed a bit more to the left.”

She has raised the matter with Falmouth Town Council’s network manager, who will liaise with Cornwall Council. We have contacted the latter for a comment.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council told us: “This bin replaces a smaller bin which was already on this site and had to be removed as it was vandalised. A larger, sturdier bin was put in as a replacement. We will be visiting the site to look at a suitable alternative location for the bin.”