RESIDENTS of a coastal village which has become known as ‘Hollywood-on-Sea’ fear plans by a holiday park to install 28 more holiday lodges will add to over-development and ‘exploitation’ of the area.

The local parish council and the area’s Cornwall councillor also oppose the proposal by Sun Valley Holiday Park at Mawgan Porth believing it will harm an area of great landscape value (AGLV).

Cornwall Council’s planning department is recommending the application is approved at a meeting next Monday (February 9), but others oppose the siting of the units, with engineering and access works, on land at Retorrick Mill, near Mawgan Porth.

Mawgan Porth has been dubbed ‘Hollywood-on-Sea’ due to the number of celebrities who are understood to have holiday homes in the beauty spot, including Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, Hollywood star Jason Momoa, actor Jason Statham and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

The application site is a 1.76-hectare undeveloped field just over one kilometre east of Mawgan Porth and can be seen from the village’s popular beach. It forms part of the landscape within the Lanherne & Watergate area of great landscape value.

There are currently 106 static caravans throughout the adjoining holiday park.

A Cornwall Council planning report states: “The economic, social and environmental benefits associated with the provision of new accommodation in this location weigh in favour of approving this application.”

However, Cllr Rowland O’Connor – the Cornish Independent Non-aligned Group member for the area – said: “The application site lies within a designated AGLV, where planning policy requires that significant weight be given to the conservation of landscape character and visual amenity.

“The parish council has raised clear concerns that the scale, siting and form of the proposal would erode the rural character of the area, interrupt established views and introduce built development that is not well integrated into its wider landscape setting.”

Cllr O’Connor, who has called the matter before Monday’s central planning committee, added: “While the planning officer report acknowledges the AGLV designation, it is not evident that the potential for permanent and cumulative landscape harm has been afforded sufficient weight within the planning balance.”

St Mawgan in Pydar Parish Council stated: “The PC acknowledges the amendments which have been made, reducing the proposed number of units and the revised landscaping plan. However, the current proposal still represents a further extension to an already much-extended site and further intrusion into a once peaceful rural valley within the AGLV.

“In addition, the parish is already very well served for tourism provision. Local residents’ questionnaire responses for the parish neighbourhood plan showed that parishioners felt there was sufficient tourism provision and that the area did not need any more.

“Residents were concerned that over-development runs the risk of detracting from the very characteristics that bring visitors to the area – potentially creating a negative economic impact for local businesses.”

The application has received 20 comments on Cornwall Council’s planning portal all of which are against the proposal.

Sara Gwilliams wrote: “Storm Ingrid hit Cornwall on Friday, January 23 which resulted in Mawgan Porth being severely flooded and cut off after the river burst its banks. Sewage came up through the drains which left excrement on the roads, pavement and beach when the water subsided. This incident made national headlines.

“Adding more concrete to the already inadequate soakaways and sewage disposal would be senseless.”

Adam Chippindall added: “This proposed development is a commercial enterprise, designed only to enhance profits and does nothing positive for our community. It does not provide any extra community infrastructure, it does not enhance Mawgan Porth, it adds to its burdens, it is not providing housing for the local community.

“What is the benefit to us? I object vehemently.”

Another resident Mark Archer said: “I believe it will have a detrimental effect on an area of outstanding beauty.

“I base my objection on observations of the state of my parish over several years. We are slowly killing the attraction that has drawn visitors to the parish of St Mawgan since Victorian times.

“The beauty and peaceful nature of the area is being destroyed at an alarming rate but without gain to the local community and its visitors.

“A stroll down the valley from the village of St Mawgan to the beautiful coastline at Mawgan Porth was a way of escaping the hustle and bustle of modern life, but gradually the peace is being eroded by the ever-increasing holiday developments along this footpath. At current rates it won’t be long before it is likened to a walk down your local high street.”

He added: “I feel I must object to the proposal on the account that we protect our parish and stop the over-exploitation of the area for the majority, including locals and visitors, and not for the ease of a few and the bank balance of even fewer.”

The application will be discussed at the planning meeting at 10am on Monday at Lys Kernow (County Hall) in Truro.