THERE has been a further major cliff collapse at Whipsiderry Beach today (Tuesday, December 19).

Tonnes of rock came away at around midday, which caused nearby houses to shake and made a loud “booming noise.”

Resident Leah Steward estimates an even bigger section of cliff has collapsed compared to the huge landslip that happened on Wednesday, November 29.

Emergency services had warned people to stay away from the cliff as further cliff collapses are predicted.

Second major cliff collapse (Leah Steward)

Leah said: “A huge section has gone and there is still a bit more to come.

“I would say it is as equally as big as the cliff collapse before if not bigger.

“It is the partially detached part of the cliff that was predicted to come down that has fallen.

“I check the cliff most mornings and I thought it would come down sooner rather than later.

“I was at home and I heard a massive boom and the house shook. It was so loud.

“I don’t think they should be building on the plot above as they have lost quite a large part of the development site now.”

Lyndsey Young from Save Whipsiderry Cliffs group added: “We knew it was going to fall as there were huge cracks after the first fall.

"A lot more rock, soil and shale has fallen onto the beach.

“The rain last night has helped it along.

"The cliff face is still unstable as you can see various cracks."

Newquay Town Council has previously threatened to take legal action against Cornwall Council if it fails to quash a developer’s controversial planning permission to work on the Whipsiderry cliff face.

The authority argues the plans “bear no resemblance” to the approved scheme since the massive landslip on November 29 as the cliff face has changed so dramatically.

Councillors hope the unitary authority works with the town council to stop the cliff stabilisation works re-starting but independently will pursue “every option” available to try and prevent “further damage to the coastline.”

Newquay Town Council unanimously agreed to take the action at its extraordinary full meeting on Wednesday.

A developer has planning permission to undertake the cliff stabilisation works ahead of building seven luxury houses on the cliff top above on the site of the former Paradise Cove Hotel.

The Marine Management Organisation has suspended the developer’s licence to carry out the cliff stabilisation works until January 31 pending further investigation.

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

The MMO is due to give its verdict on whether the developer can restart the work after the January deadline but Cllr Joanna Kenny, the chairman of the town council’s planning committee, put forward a motion to the town council as a backup plan to push for Cornwall Council to quash the planning permission it gave.