Two settlements

The parish of St John comprises two settlements, St John and Freathy, and some residential houses and farms in a rural setting classed as Area of Great Landscape Value.

St John

The village of St John is a narrow ribbon type hamlet of some 150 residents, situated in a narrow wooded valley.

Conservation area

St John is a designated Conservation Area, the limits of which are the tops of the adjacent hills that can be seen from the village itself. The Conservation Area is a significant in preserving the character and appearance of the village. The steep sided nature of the St John valley and associated drainage limits significant development potential outside of the village.

No community facilities

The village does not have a range of community facilities. There are no schools, shops, medical facilities, or other key services, and there are no significant employment opportunities and minimal public transport.

Traffic problems

St John village tends to be adversely affected from commuter through traffic, which at times causes noise disturbance, safety issues (as there are no pavements or lighting) and aggravates the roadside parking which is necessary owing to shortages of driveways or garages.

St John’s Lake, adjacent to the village is a tidal creek designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Freathy

Freathy village (together with smaller settlement of Treganhawke) is a chalet village, comprising chalets erected prior to the Town & Country Planning Act and in which there are tight restrictions on the development of new chalets as well as alterations to existing chalets. There are approximately 120 chalets, 40% of which are used as holiday homes. The resident population of Freathy is approximately 115.

Freathy is in the south of the parish, which is designated as Heritage Coast.

Business

Aside from farming there are two major business interests, which provide local employment, the Whitsand Bay Holiday Park at Tregonhawke and the polythene products at the Poron Works adjacent to the B3247.

Information about St John Parish Council can be found on the Cornwall Council web site.