A Cornwall Council planning committee has unanimously agreed with a highways expert, formerly employed by the local authority, that access to a proposed campsite would impact the safety of people using the Saints Trail between Perranporth and Goonhavern.

Local councillor Steve Arthur said he was “dead against” the plan which could affect walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

Users of the trail – which was created by the council at a cost of around £13-million – argued it could be under threat, as plans for a glamping site at Cocks, which is about halfway along the trail, would see vehicles being able to use a narrow 100-metre section of the route to drive to and from four new camping pitches.

The application also included the use of a horse-box trailer for sale of refreshments and the retention of a facilities block comprising toilets, shower and office. The council’s planning department recommended approval but concerned locals launched a campaign to protect the trail, which they said would become unsafe if cars, campervans and service vehicles were introduced.

Jon Pearson, a qualified highways engineer, was crowdfunded by a group of local objectors, Friends of the Saints Trail, was to appear for them at a meeting of the council’s central area planning committee yesterday (Monday, March 10). He has over 40 years of experience including as Cornwall Council’s senior highways management officer.

“I have always asked a simple question to myself – would I be happy for my family to use an access to walk, cycle, horse ride, etc? If the answer is no, even with mitigation, I would recommend refusal,” he told the meeting.

“If the applicant had asked me to represent them on this proposal I would have declined. This is all about safety.” He said a council highways officer’s suggestion that the proposal was acceptable from a road safety perspective was “clearly incorrect”.

Mr Pearson said the track is below the council’s minimum width requirement of 3.1 metres for emergency vehicle access. He added there were at least four points along the 80 metres of track well below that level. “A large SUV with trailer will effectively block the trail for use by non-motorised users, including wheelchair users, people with prams, etc.” He said this was contrary to public rights of way policy.

Cllr Arthur asked how a septic tank lorry would access the site. Mr Pearson said it would be a problem. He added that although there were four pitches, visitors could bring additional tents for their children. “So you could have a lot going on there and if an emergency vehicle needs to get there, it’s not wide enough to enable them to do it,” added the expert.

Alan Bowers, chairman of Perranzabuloe Parish Council’s planning committee, said members had unanimously objected to the application due to development in the countryside, unneighbourliness due to noise and serious safety concerns.

“This Saints Trail is a jewel in the crown for Cornwall Council and is used by walkers individually, with dogs, cyclists, people in wheelchairs and pushchairs, and there is literally no room at all for anyone to pass if a car, van or lorry tries to get up and down this path,” he added.

Planning consultant Stephen Bott spoke in support of the application for a “small scale, high quality camping facility” which “respects the character of the countryside”. He reiterated that a highways officer visited the site and considered the proposal acceptable from a safety perspective. He added the Public Rights of Way team didn’t object and said it was noticeable that the Ramblers Association was also not against the plan.

Cllr Arthur said he was “dead against it” but he wouldn’t be opposed to the plan if the access was better. “What is the sense of building a multi-use trail just for it to be blocked by vehicles at its narrowest point?”

A highways officer agreed it was narrow but argued that the trail was relatively straight so if a car was coming out of the site it would be seen from a distance. He admitted there would be some inconvenience if a car met a cyclist but didn’t believe a cyclist would be in danger as a result as speeds would be low.

Committee chairman Cllr Alan Jewell said the proposal didn’t sit well as it was a “finely balanced” decision by the council’s own highways officer. Cllr Peter Guest proposed that the application should be refused due to concerns about safe and suitable access for vehicles, including emergency vehicles, and could lead to conflict with users of the trail. The committee voted unanimously to refuse.