‘Beachgoers leaving human waste in our garden’

Residents are down in the dumps as they claim beachgoers have been leaving “human waste” in their gardens and jet-skiers have been seen “splashing about under the influence of alcohol”.

It comes as a beachside café submitted a bid to serve alcohol on and off its premises near Machroes Beach, in Abersoch, Gwynedd.

A local man said that with public toilets located several hundred meters from Mickey’s Beach Café, many visitors are using nearby bin areas and the garden where children play as makeshift toilets.

Despite public objections, Cyngor Gwynedd’s central licensing sub-committee approved the café’s application on Wednesday, subject to conditions.

At the meeting, property owner Jeremy Beddows also said he often collects broken glass from near the beach path.

He noted a “fabulous increase” in powered watercraft such as RIBs, powerboats, and jet-skis.

Mr Beddows also expressed concern about “inebriated people” drinking alcohol while sitting “with their feet dangling over a 200ft wall” – part of an old tin works, behind the café.

Another resident Peter Baines feared alcohol would “change the feel” of the area, from people “having coffee and cake to ordering bottles of Prosecco and beer”.

Mr Baines also said it could escalate into parties and loud music, with a potential for increased disruption to a public car park due to increased deliveries.

Llanengan Community Council also described issues over beach drinking, stating “machinery such as speed boats/jet skis and alcohol do not go together”.

It had expressed “grave concern” over the lack of toilets, and how the sale of alcohol could “increase the popularity” of the beach, resulting in more traffic on a narrow, winding road.

Some residents reported an increase in rats and raised concerns about broken glass and plastic on the beach, which is “very popular with families”.

Lisa Gilligan, the legal representative for the applicant, said the café was not intended to be a “drinking destination” and had no plans to host loud music.

She highlighted the successful use of temporary event notices to trial alcohol sales, and said there had been no objections from police or environmental health.

Ms Gilligan also confirmed the venue has a toilet, a commercial waste system, and does not intend to use glass.

After deliberation, the committee granted the café’s owner permission to sell alcohol daily during the peak season, allowing service until 5pm on and off the premises from Monday to Sunday.

Conditions included providing an on-site toilet, enforcing a Challenge 25 policy, ensuring staff are fully trained to sell alcohol, banning loud music and glass, requiring customers to leave quietly, and operating CCTV at the premises.