CORNWALL Wildlife Trust has spoken out against a planning application on land next to Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service’s headquarters. The organisation fears a “wildlife crime” has been committed as a result of clearance before the proposal for homes on the site was submitted.

Boss Property Group is seeking approval from Cornwall Council for a housing development on land near the Cornwall Fire Rescue and Community Safety Service Headquarters at Tolvaddon, Camborne. The proposal seeks permission for one residential conversion of a historic engine house, 18 residential units which would be affordable housing led, 20 commercial units and 588 sqm of public open space.

The land includes an historic mining engine house, stamping mill and boiler house. The site and adjoining land to the south east were occupied by an arsenic works in the late 19th century.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust says the proposed development overlaps with the Roskear County Wildlife Site resulting in loss of habitat with potential for adverse effects on species it supports. The trust says the application is not in compliance with national and local planning policy relating to protection of biodiversity.

In a report to the council’s planning department, the trust said: “It is clear from online aerial imagery that the development site has been subject to degradation as a result of clearance activities and dumping of spoil.

“We were made aware of this earlier this year via the Red River Rescuers group who put in a complaint to Cornwall Council in July 2024. The evidence they provided to the council indicated that there had been dumping of spoil/damage across the site including within the County Wildlife Site. It now appears that these activities may have been undertaken to lower the ecological value of the site in preparation for development, and to try and remove the problem of the County Wildlife Site where it overlaps with the development footprint.

“As pre-emptive site degradation has occurred, this has lowered the pre-development biodiversity value of the site and has also made it much easier for the applicant to deliver net gain.”

The trust added that a reptile survey states that landscaping work was carried out on site during the surveying period which meant that ten reptile felts were buried/destroyed. “This further indicates that habitats were being degraded prior to the planning submission and also means that potential reptile habitat was being disturbed/destroyed,” said the wildlife trust.

“In addition, we are concerned that wildlife crime could have potentially been committed through clearance activities. For example, reptiles could have been killed/injured and bird’s nests could have been destroyed.”

It adds that the applicant “is not being transparent about the site clearance” and believes biodiversity net gain proposals should be revised in line with national and local planning guidance relating to site degradation.

A few Tolvaddon residents have written to the council airing their concerns too. Jon Kelley said: “It’s absolutely disgraceful that the developer has already begun carrying out extensive works on this site, showing a complete disregard for the planning processes.

“They have ripped out large areas of naturally formed habitat, created a constant noise issue, displaced a wide variety of wildlife and encroaching on an area of special scientific interest – further endangering an already rare type of dragonfly. There has been no consultation with the residents in the vicinity whatsoever.”

Philip Collins added: “Disgraceful that the developer has already destroyed a natural habitat for a number animals without any consultation with the council or local community.”

Natural England considers that the proposed development will not have significant adverse impacts on statutory designated sites and has no objection. It added: “A lack of objection does not mean that there are no significant environmental impacts. Natural England advises that all environmental impacts and opportunities are fully considered and relevant local bodies are consulted.”

Cornwall Planning Group, agent for the applicant, have been asked for a response to Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s comments.