ANGRY residents have roundly condemned the Co-op for seeking planning permission for a third time to build a store on the outskirts of St Agnes.

The application has been made by Westcountry Land (St Agnes) Ltd for land south-west of Penwinnick Farm on Penwinnick Road. It states that the Co-op has “identified a market need for a retail store in the large village of St Agnes”, which it describes as “a large, underserved rural catchment of 4,200 people”, including 2,000 village in the village itself.

The site was “identified as the most suitable and appropriate site for a community retail store to serve the village”.

Previous applications were made in September 2020 and July 2024. The supermarket was included in initial proposals for a residential development of 38 dwellings, which has already begun construction on the site, but store plans were rejected twice for reasons including “a poor outlook, an unreasonable loss of privacy and unreasonable noise and disturbance to those future occupants”.

Cornwall Council’s planning portal has been deluged with locals who claim the village does not need a large supermarket, and that to build one would cause problems including traffic chaos and a declining high street.

Clem Cassells said: “The idea of a Co-op casts a shadow over this peaceful village,” while local business owner Lisa Barber said a Coop would have “a detrimental effect on … hard-working independent stores”, adding: “The heart of the village could become a ghost town if trade is pushed out to the big corporate chains.”

Gaynor Miney feared a Coop would “turn the village into a tourist town, with only fudge shops and souvenir shops” and that the post office, currently hosted by the Costcutter shop, could be under threat.

John Fradgley felt the proposed location was too far outside the village centre for elderly residents and those without cars. “The walk to and from the site - particularly when carrying shopping - is impractical,” he said, pointing out that the Coop in Perranporth, three miles away, was “easily accessible” to those with vehicles.

Pedro Sequeira petitioned the council to block the Co-op from making another planning application on the grounds that “there hasn't been any change in circumstances that would justify a change in the previous decision of the council”.

However, some were for the development. “Our village is getting bigger and bigger, so extra shops are inevitable,” said Helen Bartell. “The cycle path will encourage people in Goonown, Goonbell and Wheal Butson area to walk and cycle there, so taking vehicles out of the village and freeing up the car park.”

Malcolm Pearson said St Agnes was “crying out for another convenience store”, adding that increasing local provision would cut down on national supermarket deliveries. He added that many in favour were “actually afraid of voting for it because of abuse they thought they would incur from some villagers, and this is simply not acceptable”.

The application is awaiting a decision. The deadline for comments is June 6. Find out more by searching for PA25/02531 on the council planning portal.