Kernow - Success for local people over big business
A long term campaign against the large scale develop of a beach in Cornwall into a luxury holiday complex moved one step closer to victory for campaigners this week following a council decision for the company behind the development to remove the sea wall defences it had constructed along the coast.
Developers Ampersand were told by Restormel Council in Cornwall to remove the sea wall defences that they had constructed to protect their proposed development from the sea, following a decision by the Secretary of State in 2007 to grant them permission, saying the defences did not comply with planning policy. Initially Ampersand had appealed against the Government decision and a public inquiry into the appeal was due to have been heard later in 2009. However the developers decided to withdraw their appeal last week. Ampersand, who intended to build a £200 million pound luxury holiday development along the privately owned Carlyon Bay beach will now have to pull the defences down.
The Kernow Branch of the Celtic League, who have campaigned vigorously against the development since 2003, by working closely with a group of local people who had set up a pressure group to oppose the development, had previously met with Ampersand bosses to express their concerns. The Branch also had the support of Welsh housing and language campaign group, Cymuned, in their fight against the development. Now the Ampersand Group have two years to decide what they plan to do.
The General Secretary of the League, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, who was the Convenor of the Kernow Branch at the time said:
«The decision by Restormel Council ordering Ampersand to remove their wall defences is a welcome development in the campaign. Ampersand should now be told to clean up the mess that they have created on the breach so that visitors and residents can equally enjoy the natural beauty of the area without having to endure the eye sore that a large part of the beach has become over so many years.
This is indeed a victory for local people over a big corporate and unsustainable business who have little concern for the Cornish environment and people.»
Planning permission to build the development was granted to Ampersand in 1991 by Restormel Council, but critics say that the Group have since trampled over the guidelines that were originally set out.
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J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League 03/03/09
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