Latest Whipsiderry application thrown out

Cornwall Council planners have refused the latest attempt to discharge a planning condition for the controversial luxury holiday homes development at Whipsiderry.

Developer Living Quarter Properties had applied to amend condition two of the original planning approval, which required a detailed schedule of cliff defence works and provisions for their future maintenance to protect the development throughout its lifespan.

Planners cited several reasons for the "refusal of the details submitted", including the lack of a detailed schedule of cliff works or maintenance provision. They also raised concerns that the proposed methodology for cliff stabilisation was "not informed by a sufficient understanding of the geology, geotechnical conditions and processes to allow for an appropriate site-specific solution".

The council added that "more evidence is required to demonstrate that the proposed solution has taken into account the complex geological processes within the specifics of its design, ruling out some of the uncertainties that have been identified but not addressed, and that the design is able to support large-scale unstable rock mass".

A second reason for refusal was the lack of an assessment of ecological impacts and the absence of a mitigation or compensation scheme. Planners stated: "Without additional information and assessment, it is not clear if the activities relating to this application may cause harm to the ecological value of this sensitive site or cause inherent conflicts with protected species legislation."