A developer wants to build a holiday park near a special conservation area (Image: CABU)
A plan to demolish a disused military camp on a “fragile” clifftop to make way for a controversial holiday park has sparked fury among locals.
Clerkenwell Estates (Holywell Bay) Ltd wants to build the park on land previously occupied by the ‘s Penhale Camp, near Newquay, .
The real estate company has plans to build 67 holiday dwellings, a pool, spa and restaurant on the site along with a separate proposal for nine new homes and the refurbishment of two existing buildings, including a farmhouse.
Both applications have been recommended for approval ahead of a meeting at Cornwall Council on Thursday (December 19), according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
But locals have been fighting a campaign to get the plans for the protected site thrown out. The site is near Penhale Dunes and Kelsey Head which together form a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The former has also been a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) since 2004.
Locals say an influx of tourists will threaten wildlife (Image: Getty)
The area is home to fragile wildlife habitats, with rare flowers and plants as well as endangered butterflies, insects and peregrine falcons, which nest on the cliffs below.
There are also said to be choughs which breed at the site, a striking bird which is the symbol of Cornwall and appears on the county’s coat of arms.
Community group, Friends of Penhale, wants the land to be secured in perpetuity for the public’s benefit and for it to be returned to nature.
Members of the group argue the new development could irredeemably damage the landscape, with thousands of holidaymakers trampling all over the site, harming wildlife and fragile ecosystems.
Visit Cornwall argues the development will be an “excellent” addition to the county’s tourism offer.
Don’t miss… [REPORT] [REVEALED]
Choughs feed and breed in the area (Image: Getty)
Perranzabuloe parish council has objected to the plans, arguing they will have a negative impact on nature conservation while the site lies inside an area of “great landscape value” close to the SSSI and SAC.
Councillors from the parish are also concerned extra traffic for the holiday park would clog local roads and threaten road safety.
Cornwall Council planning officers argue, however, that ecological concerns can be addressed and while the site is within a “sensitive” place, the state of the disused camp means it can’t be considered to benefit the look of the place.
A report prepared for the meeting reads: “In relation to ecological matters, following extensive feedback from the ecologist, significant work has been undertaken to ensure the development can avoid impacts to protected species, as well as impacts to features within the adjacent SSSI and SAC.”
The planning officers also argue the holiday park will boost jobs and provision of “high quality” tourist accommodation.