CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after a government body withdrew its permission for a developer to reinforce the cliff at Whipsiderry Beach as part of its plans to build luxury villas on the clifftop.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has revoked the marine licence to Living Quarter Properties (Porth) Limited because of a change in circumstances relating to the environment following the massive cliff collapses in 2023 and 2024.

Colan Cornwall councillor John Fitter believes the decision is the “final nail in the coffin” of the 2008 planning permission to construct seven properties on the site of the former paradise Cove Hotel.

The Save Whipsiderry Cliffs group has staged various protests against the cliff being concreted as they believe it would ruin the picturesque area and would be detrimental to wildlife.

A spokesperson for campaign group said: “Perhaps if the MMO had actually listened to public concerns and professional opinion or maybe gathered their own expert opinion at the time, rather than granting a license based on incomplete and biased, evidence and flawed methodologies, then we may not be in the position we now find ourselves.

“We must also remember that the MMO license was for the concreting of the caves only, not just a generic stabilisation process and the developer’s “experts” have determined that this is not a suitable method anymore anyway!

“So, whilst this is a positive step, this feels like the MMO wiping their hands and stepping away, leaving a mess that they are partly responsible for.

“Another party leaving the battle.

“It’s been a frustrating and rather saddening 2024, but in 2025, our resources will be focused on regaining public access to Whipsy.”

Living Quarter Properties (Porth) Limited has the right to appeal against the notice.

The MMO, in its notice of revocation of the marine licence to the developer, said: “The Marine Management Organisation has decided to revoke the marine licence with effect from December 19, 2024.

“The reasons for this decision are because of a change in circumstances relating to the environment or human health; since the marine licence was granted, there has been a change in circumstances in that there have been significant rockfalls at the site which occurred in 2023 and 2024.

“This has resulted in a change to the beach profile and landscape meaning some information provided during the original determination is no longer applicable.

“The Marine Management Organisation have been unable to exclude the risk that there is a causal link between the rockfalls and the licenced activity.

“In order to protect the environment and human health from further rockfalls, we consider it is necessary to prevent the licenced activity from continuing.

“Because of increased scientific knowledge relating to the environment or human health since the marine licence was granted. In 2023, following significant rockfalls at the site, the MMO obtained a geotechnical report to understand the risks to the environment and human health following these rockfalls.

“The report made a number of recommendations and the MMO has not received sufficient information from you addressing these recommendations.

“For any other reason that appears to the authority to be relevant; the Marine Management Organisation cannot suspend or vary the licence to address the risk to the environment or human health.

“The Marine Management Organisation required information to be provided to support a variation of the marine licence.

“As this information has not been provided within the required timeframe, the Marine Management Organisation cannot vary the licence prior to the expiration of the suspension.

“Therefore, variation of the marine licence is no longer an option available to the Marine Management Organisation.”

Cllr Fitter added: “The MMO decision certainly seems to have now put the final nail in the coffin of the current fiasco.

“We have still in place a planning permission which cannot be delivered as per the 2008 planning permission.

“Almost 20 per cent of the site has fallen into the cove, and yet Cornwall Council planning department will not wake up and smell the coffee and address the situation where we have a site on which the planning permission cannot be delivered, it is a total eye sore to what is the northern gateway to Newquay, and yet senior Cornwall Council officers seem to see no problem, hear no problem, and most certainly speak of no problem.

“Thank goodness the MMO have stepped in. Perhaps they should take over the planning service.”