WALKERS, cyclists and horse riders are up in arms over proposals to use the newly-opened Saints Trail as a vehicular access to a new campsite, fearing it will prove dangerous for users.

Locals who are against the proposal are due to make their presence felt at a Cornwall Council planning meeting today (March 10).

The popular off-road trail which connects Perranporth and nearby Goonhavern was opened in 2023 at a cost of over £13-million and has been a hit with locals and tourists alike, who have taken to the scenic trail in great numbers, escaping busy traffic on the local roads.

Users of the trail argue it could be under threat, as plans for a glamping campsite 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, which the applicant aims to create on land that is currently used for grazing ponies.

The application also includes 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 has recommended approval but concerned locals have launched a campaign to protect the trail, which they say will become unsafe if cars, campervans and service vehicles are introduced.

A spokesperson for the Friends of the Saints Trail group said: “It’s an accident waiting to happen. The trail at this point is so narrow, it’s impossible to pass a vehicle, let alone see one coming due to the bend in the lane and the tight corner. It’s just a farm field at the moment with only one car that comes and goes occasionally.

“I welcome tourists coming into the area for holidays, but how is it safe for a load of cars and vans to be driving along a narrow cycle trail, several times a day each, right into the path of kids on bikes, or meeting horses or electric wheelchairs coming the other way? There’s no space to get past without getting your toes run over. Someone’s going to get badly hurt.”

Perranzabuloe Parish Council has objected to the application stating it is “unneighbourly and represents development in the countryside. Concern was also expressed regarding noise, traffic access on to a public right of way and highways”. Cornwall councillor Steve Arthur also objects and has brought the matter to Monday’s central area planning committee.

He said: “I’m not against any economic growth around the Saints Trail, but it’s the road access. It will mean an increased flow of traffic on the trail which is very narrow and is used by horse riders and cyclists.”

Those opposed to the plans are so concerned about the safety aspects, they have raised money to enlist an independent highways expert, Jon Pearson – a former council highways officer – to look at the scheme.

“His report is damning, highlighting not only the dangers to children and horses, but also to fire safety, with the access being too tight for any emergency vehicles,” added the opposition group’s spokesperson. “Neighbours have been left seriously concerned.”

Despite the opposition, Cornwall Council’s planning department argues that the application is appropriate in scale to its location and considers traffic to and from the site would be “modest”.

A committee report states: “The track is already used by vehicles with two access points, one serving the proposal site with access required for maintenance of the land and care for the ponies onsite and an additional site to the north of the proposal site which appears to be used for storage.

“The application has been discussed with the Highways Development Management Officer who has visited the site. They note the track is narrow i.e suitable width for one car only. However the track offers sufficient visibility to see oncoming vehicles and other users such as cycles or pedestrians.

“Given the nature of the track, travelling speeds will be low as such it has been considered that the proposal is acceptable from a highways safety perspective with the level of visibility at the Saints Trail entrance junction also considered suitable for emerging vehicles.” The Public Rights of Way team and the Ramblers haven’t raised any objections.

Campaigners say that if the application is approved it will set a precedent to develop land along other cycle routes being created around Cornwall. The planning meeting takes place at Lys Kernow / County Hall, Truro today.

The Saints Trail has previously been described as a “disaster” for Cornwall Council after the original scheme for a number of trails had to be scaled back due to financial constraints and delays. An independent review found that the full project had been “undeliverable”.

The original Saints Trails – which went over its original £19m budget – consisted of 30km of routes linking Perranporth with Newquay, Truro and St Agnes, St Newlyn East to Carland Cross, and Trispen with Idless. What was eventually delivered was 13.4km of pathways linking Perranporth with Goonhavern and Truro to St Agnes.