The Cornish Guardian 10th July 2003

Bid to get plans called in by Ray Telford

OBJECTORS to the proposed beach resort at Carlyon Bay are pressing for developer Ampersand's planning application to be called in by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Mark Frazer, chairman of the Sea Road Frontagers residents' group, and Carlyon Bay resident and businessman Peter Browning will lodge a 600 signature petition with the Plymouth office of the Government Office for the South West tomorrow in a last-ditch attempt to have Ampersand's planning application rescinded.

Mr Frazer said: "This is not nimbyism. The majority of people in the area want something done about the sorry state of the old Coliseum complex, but for a county that sees its future in tourism, filling up beaches with buildings is like shooting yourself in the foot.

"Residents have consistently opposed previous applications and still do because it's equivalent to putting a village the size of Mevagissey on to Crinnis Beach, or doubling the size of Carlyon Bay.

"We can only hope that a public inquiry will take place and rescind a 1998 planning permission for the Coliseum site.

"Once this happens we can start again with proposals which take into account contemporary conditions and are within modem planning guidelines.

Carlyon Bay resident and businessman Peter Browning also questions the findings of Ampersand's traffic consultants which supported the company's application, which was approved by Restormel Council last month.

"There are so many unanswered and important variations of information. No-one can seriously argue that the impact of this development can do anything but aggravate the huge problems already suffered by St Austell.

"I hope that this whole matter is scrutinised at a full public inquiry."