PLANS to build holiday lodges in Quintrell Downs have been refused as it would result in the loss of undeveloped land.

Cornwall Council has rejected a planning application to construct nine holiday lodges at the Kernowyon Lowen as the economic benefits of the scheme would not outweigh the negative impact.

An ecological study carried out on behalf of the applicant stated the proposal would result in a net biodiversity gain on the site through the creation of a wildlife pond as well as areas for flora rich grassland, native diverse tree planting and additional new hedge planting.

Chartered surveyor Verity J Biddick also argued on behalf of the applicant that the scheme had good transport links as the site has existing vehicular access onto the A392 road.

They concluded the proposals are capable of delivering a positive impact in terms of the local economy whilst also enhancing the site merits for wildlife and biodiversity.

But Cornwall Council has rejected the scheme through delegated powers as the identified landscape harm is not considered to represent sustainable development on the site, which is described as less than one hectare of cut grass with an area of hard standing.

The planners also concluded the holiday lodge development should be turned down due to the site’s poor accessibility to a range of transport modes.

Colan Parish Council had given its support to the scheme, but parish councillors did raise concerns about the access to the A392 as it is a busy main road all year round.

The authority argued the access could cause problems for vehicles entering and leaving the site as it is close to a bridge.

A resident objected to the holiday lodge plans following concerns about the noise impact the holiday lets would have on the surrounding area as the development “backs on to three residential properties.”

They also argued about the potential of overlooking the residential properties leading to a loss of privacy.

Cornwall Council’s notice of refusal stated: “The proposal is not considered to accord with the spatial strategy for new tourism accommodation pursued by this Council through the development plan.

“The proposal would deliver tourist accommodation in the open countryside in a location with poor accessibility to a range of transport modes and would result in the loss of an area of undeveloped land, which in its current state makes a small positive contribution to the character of the surrounding rural landscape and as result would lead to landscape harm.

“Accordingly, the proposal does not amount to sustainable development.

“The proposal would result in some economic benefits through the creation of jobs and inward investment in the local economy by visitors, to which significant weight has been attributed.

“However, these are not considered to outweigh the negatives of the proposal, namely the conflict with the spatial strategy pursued in the development plan, the sites poor accessibility and the identified landscape harm and the proposal is not considered to represent sustainable development.”

The decision follows Cornwall Council’s strategic planning committee giving the go ahead to build the £60-million 400 lodge Green Ridge Resort on 70 acres of agricultural land off the A392 at Colan, Quintrell Downs.