Newquay Town Council has decided against opposing plans to build a 400-lodge holiday resort near Quintrell Downs. 

The council’s planning committee voted to raise no formal objection to a proposal to create the Green Ridge resort on 70 hectares of agricultural land to the north of the A392, near the hamlets of Mountjoy and Colan. 

A number of town councillors were supportive of the scheme because of the economic benefits it would bring but others were against because of its impact on traffic and the loss of the green area. 

Kingsley Leisure Developments gave a presentation ahead of the vote. 

Planning committee chairman Cllr Joanna Kenny said: “Green Ridge resort is not in our parish but as the adjacent parish we were asked for our opinion. The meeting was attended by a six-man Kingsley team who answered some detailed questions.     

“This was one of the rare occasions when the committee was split. 

“The main debate was between the investment in the visitor economy which would benefit Newquay’s businesses versus the loss of a green area and, in particular, productive farming land.    

“In the end, the visitor economy issue just edged it and the final decision was to respond ‘no objection’ while listing all the concerns raised.     

“I thought we did not have the evidence to object; there was a long list of consultees, very few had responded yet, one of the disadvantages of being consulted early in the process.    

“But I think it very unlikely that this one would be rubber-stamped through without being called in to committee and then they would see more detailed evidence on, say, the effect on the local road system, and the quality of the farmland.” 

The scheme includes a reception area, a shuttle bus hub, a swimming pool, a spa/ gym, a swimming lake, an activity hub, shops, and a food court, including a restaurant, a bar and a cafe.  

Other features include picnic areas, a playground, a splash park, a dog walking area and running/walking trails. 

Seasonal activities would be organised within the open spaces. 

A dedicated access would be created off the A392 and a new pedestrian/cycle link would connect to Quintrell Downs.

There would be extensive hard and soft landscaping and biodiversity enhancement measures. 

Cornwall Council is due to have the final say on the scheme.