Campaigners have won a significant victory in their battle to stop a developer from concreting the cliffs at Whipsiderry.

Members of Save Whipsiderry Cliffs action group are celebrating the Marine Management Organisation’s (MMO) decision to suspend the license for the cliff stabilisation works for five months until January 31 2024 pending further investigation.

It follows campaigners “bombarding” the Government body with evidence showing why the work should be stopped due to its impact on wildlife and the crumbling cliff following several rockfalls.

Developer Living Quarter Properties (Porth) Ltd could effectively have re-started work on the cliff stabilisation works on Friday following the nesting season coming to an end. 

The developer needs to carry out the cliff reinforcement works, which involves excavating sea caves with heavy machinery, drilling into the rock and inserting steel rods and filling the caves with concrete, including part of the cliff face above, ahead of building seven luxury villas on the clifftop above on the site of the former Paradise Cove Hotel.

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 the group, said: “The suspension of the licence will include, but not limited to a geotechnical review to be carried out by an independent party.

“This is a direct result of the ongoing work and activity from the Save Whipsiderry group, our instructed solicitors and the wider community.

“We have been continually putting pressure on the MMO, and other associated parties to review the license on the basis of “material change” to the cliff face, which means the basis on which the license was granted is now invalid as well as health & safety issues and other license discrepancies.

“Whilst we are delighted with this news, this is a suspension and not a revocation, so this is not over yet.

“This now means Save Whipsy Fest at Lusty Glaze on September 24 can be a celebration party of sorts, whilst we raise more funds for the next phase.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all those that have offered their time, donated funds, given advice and shared our story.”

Save Whipsiderry Cliffs action group will be meeting at the Godolphin on Henver Road to celebrate the suspension of the work and discuss next steps on Thursday at 6.30pm.

Read the full story in next week's Newquay Voice.