As someone who lives and detects the beaches in Cornwall, I am waiting to see how this licensing situation evolves.
The Duchy does want to introduce it.The management of the scheme has all been handed over to the general licensing department of The Duchy, which also grants licenses to anyone who wants to make use of the beach (or other Duchy owned land) ie,Festival/competition and event promoters, as well as windsurfing clubs,landboarding groups,etc,etc.
The proposed detecting fee is actually £60 per six months!
I have spoken to them and it appears they have been absolutely bombarded with enquiries on the matter.I don't think they realised how many people have an interest in detecting .I told them I was gobsmacked about the price of the license and would contact them again in a few weeks to see what transpires after they have had time to work out the details, fully,themselves.
I explained how the free Crown permit scheme worked to the man I spoke to.
The department that has been given the job know nothing at all about metal detecting. A lot of the details of their scheme seem a bit wooly to say the least.I told them that in the main, it is a hobby carried out alone or with a partner perhaps.I think these guys have visions of "beach rallies" starting to happen,which would have an effect of the other people who have purchased a license to carry out their sport or hobby. I explained I would be less of a hindrance to other beach users with my detector,as I would be exercising my 2 dogs!
I was told I would have to list the beaches I wanted to search.It turned out that out of the 11 which I listed, 2 belonged solely to them.
I will obviously avoid those.
I think if they do try to enforce it,they would have to make it clear, in someway or another,which beaches are theirs.
I cannot see how they will be able to afford to patrol 300 miles of coastline either?
