Steve Double, Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay has today written to the Head of Planning at Cornwall Council, urging him to turn down the latest attempt to build houses on cliffs above Whipsiderry Beach.
In his letter to Phil Mason, the Head of Planning at Cornwall Council, Steve writes:
“…there remain major issues with how the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) have conducted their role in these applications. I have raised these with the Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who confirmed that errors by the MMO had taken place here, and am continuing to work with DEFRA to change the way the MMO work in cases like this in the future.
Apart from my concerns with the MMO, and thus the weight Cornwall Council should give their flawed decision-making on this site, I would also like to object on the following reasons.
The current application is an overdevelopment of the existing site
The current application is out of character and unsympathetic to the area
The current application, if built, would have a detrimental visual impact on the coastline as well as the Cliffside and beach.
As per my previous correspondence, many of the residents who have contacted me tell me that the path, which the applicant has branded ‘temporary’, which runs along the cliff-edge, has been used by the public for many years, some even report using it for more than 50 years, whereas others, including the Cornwall Councillor for the area, John Fitter, tells me that the path and land in question was given for public enjoyment in the 1970s and was even maintained by Cornwall Council until a year or so ago, with substantial repairs to fencing carried out in the area in question.
In fact, as the South West Coast Path previously said, the path would appear likely to have accrued public right of access as it has been in use for many years, without challenge from the previous owners.
I understand that the Ramblers Association have also applied to have the current footpath recognised as a public right of way on the definitive map. Should this application be considered and determined before a decision is reached on the planning application?
I also understand that the applicant has with this most recent application, submitted inaccurate paperwork, including an earlier version of the MMO license that does not include additional conditions, and an ecology report that had been previously rejected by the MMO.
There has also again been a significant public outcry on this application, with over 250 objections received by Cornwall Council and registered as of my writing of this letter.
Bearing all of these issues in mind, I hope that Cornwall Council will make a sensible and informed decision, listen to the overwhelming public opinion on this matter, and reject this application.”
Commenting, Steve said:
“As with previous applications on this site, I am yet to be convinced the developer, Cornwall Council or the MMO have considered the many valid concerns that both myself and many local people have about this site.”
“I hope that Cornwall Council will do the right thing here, listen to the valid and sensible evidence that has been put before them, and reject this application.”