CAMPAIGNERS who battled to protect a quiet Newquay cul-de-sac and a historic route to the parish church are celebrating after a business’s controversial redevelopment plans were dismissed on appeal.

Planning inspector Shaun Harrington has rejected TLS Solicitors in St Michael’s Road plans to demolish its premises and construct a mix use building consisting of offices, nine residential units and parking following concerns about its impact on the neighbourhood.

Campaign group Save Church Path, residents and Newquay Town Council objected to the scheme as it would involve knocking down part of the historic wall, which backs onto the public church footpath and the cul-de-sac of Ennors Road, to create a new vehicle access connecting the solicitor’s car park to the road.

Residents in Ennors Road, campaigners and councillors argued vehicles cutting across the footpath into the cul-de-sac would have a detrimental impact on the neighbourhood and put pedestrian’s safety at risk.

Cornwall Council initially rejected the planning application due to concerns the footprint, scale and massing of the business redevelopment would cause harm to the intrinsic character and appearance of Ennors Road. Planning consultancy Situ 8, on behalf the applicant Mr Taggert, argued the adverse impacts identified would not “significantly” and “demonstrably” outweigh the benefits of the scheme but the planning inspector did not agree.

Planning Inspector Mr Harrington concluded: “The main issues are the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area and the living conditions of the occupiers of 2, Ennors Road and 21-23, St Michaels Road, with particular regard to outlook and daylight.

“The introduction of additional residential units and employment space would aid the vitality and viability of Newquay town centre.

“In this instance, I have found that the proposal would be inconsistent with the street scene when viewed from Ennor’s Road, as well as resulting in harm to living conditions of neighbouring occupiers. As such, given the identified harm, whilst the proposal would redevelop and increase the scale and density within the site, I do not find that the proposal would result in an efficient use of land.

Moreover, due to the proposal not fully integrating and enhancing its surroundings as identified in the first main issue, the proposal would conflict with planning policy.

“Due to these conflicts, the proposal fails to comply with a national decision-making policy which state that development proposals should be refused in specific circumstances. “Moreover, in view of the particular substantial adverse effects identified, I find in this instance the benefits of the proposal would be substantially outweighed by the adverse effects, when assessed against the national decision-making policies.”

A spokesperson for group Save Church Path, Newquay said: “We are delighted and relieved that last month Mr Taggart's appeal to the Planning Inspectorate was dismissed.

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“We very much hope that this is the end of us having to defend Ennors Road, the historic wall and the safety of pedestrians using the church path.”