PLANS to raise the level of more than 12 hectares of land at Tencreek Farm, near Liskeard, have come under scrutiny amid concerns over archaeology, contamination, ecology and the potential impact on neighbouring properties.

The application has been submitted by Wainhomes (South West) Ltd for land at Tencreek Farm, Liskeard, where development has already started following approval for a 202-home scheme under planning application PA22/03642.

The new proposal seeks permission to move 17,330 cubic metres of topsoil and 6,170 cubic metres of subsoil from the housing development site onto three areas of nearby agricultural land.

According to planning documents, the land would be raised by around 20cm in some areas.

The applicant says the soil would be moved onto land previously held as part of the same agricultural holding, with the work intended to level and improve the fields for farming.

Wainhomes says relocating the material nearby would avoid transporting substantial quantities of soil over longer distances and reduce the need to remove it from the area.

However, the proposals have prompted concerns from Cornwall Council consultees and a local objector.

An objector who lives opposite the proposed works and has lived in the area for 45 years has raised particular concerns about the area identified as Field B.

They claim the area shown on the application actually consists of two fields, one gently sloping and another which is “very steep” and borders their property at Cloak Park.

The objector said there is no information about how much soil and subsoil would be deposited on Field B and questioned whether the proposed 20cm increase was a maximum or minimum.

They warned depositing material on the steep field could create a serious risk of soil being washed onto their property during heavy rainfall – and also raised concerns mud could block a ditch carrying stormwater from the A38, potentially causing flooding and eventually resulting in sediment reaching the River Seaton.

The objector said they already have to regularly clear the ditch during periods of heavy rain and runoff to prevent their access road from being washed out. They “vigorously object” to any tipping taking place on the steep field.

Meanwhile, Cornwall Council’s Historic Environment Planning team said the three areas lie within Anciently Enclosed Land, where there is a high probability of buried archaeological remains.

Several known heritage assets are also located nearby, including the early medieval and medieval settlement of Tencreek.

The council has called for a Heritage Statement, Archaeological Assessment and geophysical survey before the application is determined.

The Environment Agency has also raised concerns over potential contamination, citing the historic landfill at Tencreek Farm and the possibility of pollution reaching controlled waters.

The council’s ecologist has said there is currently insufficient information to assess the ecological impact, while its Public Rights of Way team has highlighted the need to keep footpath 618/15/2 open and unobstructed.

Wainhomes say the proposed ground raising would have minimal visual impact because the increase would be around 20cm in some areas.

The application remains under consideration by Cornwall Council.