Holiday park plans for ex-military camp refused

An artist's impression of what the new holiday camp at Holywell Bay could look like

Controversial plans for a holiday park at a former military camp on the north Cornwall coast have been refused over concerns about its size and the extra traffic it could create.

Developers wanted to build 67 units, a swimming pool, and spa at Holywell Bay near Newquay on the former Penhale barracks site.

The application received 115 objections from members of the public, and no comments of support - Cornwall Council's Strategic Planning Committee turned down the proposals by a margin of eight to one.

Opponents argued it would have a detrimental impact on the natural environment and lead to extra congestion - something the applicant disputed.

The former military camp occupies a prominent position at Holywell Bay

The former Ministry of Defence site has laid dormant since being closed down in 2010.

Clerkenwell Estates wanted to demolish most of the remaining buildings there to make way for holiday lodges and refurbish the rest.

It argued the camp would help the local economy - creating dozens of jobs and attracting more than 20,000 visitors a year.

The developers said they were also confident they could mitigate against the environmental impact of the camp during the construction and operation of the site.

'Dramatic increase'

Perranzabuloe and Cubert Parish Councils raised fears the holiday camp would lead to a "dramatic increase" of traffic on narrow local roads already congested during the summer.

Robert Miners, from Perranzabuloe Parish Council, said he was happy councillors had blocked the scheme.

He argued: "There is no need for more holiday accommodation in such close proximity to many other sites in the area. It certainly would only be a detriment.

"We often have queues of 30-plus cars going in to that area as it is every summer, and this would have made it substantially worse," he added.

Opposition was also raised by community group Friends of Penhale who were concerned about the camp disturbing the site of special scientific interest surrounding it.

It wanted the area to be cleared and returned to its natural state to protect wildlife and nature there.

The application had been recommended for approval - but councillors concluded the proposed development was too big given the number of vehicles accessing it on local roads.