A massive cliff collapse occurred at Whipsiderry on Saturday where a developer has carried out stabilisation works ahead of its plans to build luxury homes.

Tonnes of rock collapsed onto the beach and there are fears another section could fall at any time.

Campaign group Save Whipsiderry Cliffs is hoping the latest collapse will put an end to Living Quarter Properties Ltd’s appeal against Cornwall Council’s refusal to re-discharge condition two of its planning permission from 2007 as part of its plans to build seven villas on the site of the former Paradise Cove Hotel.

The developer plans to insert 337 steel rods to a depth of between 15 and 25 metres into the cliff face for the holiday homes to “float on” to protect the properties for 125 years.

Leah Steward from Save Whipsiderry Cliffs said: The cliff collapse was a fairly substantial fall, although not unexpected.

“It looks like there are more substantial falls to come, there appears to be more cracking on the cliff and on the site above, and not much supporting it underneath.

“My thoughts are that this fall makes the developers recently submitted appeal against Cornwall Council's refusal to discharge planning condition two even more ridiculous, and hopefully this will put a stop to it.”