RESIDENTS of Playing Place have formed an action group after learning that a developer could build up to 70 houses on a field containing two ancient monuments.

Legacy Properties is aiming to submit a planning application in late 2025/early 2026 for the development of land owned by Lord Falmouth’s Tregothnan Estate off Old Coach Road.

The field contains an Iron Age settlement and the remains of a “plain an gwarry” – an amphitheatre which gives the village its name, and which would have seen plays celebrating the life of St Kea in medieval times. A plaque on a footpath next to the field marks the remains of the two round enclosures.

Villagers are also concerned about road safety and the possible traffic impact on Old Coach Road as well as the added pressure a large housing estate could have on the local GP surgery and the already oversubscribed Kea Community Primary School.

Playing Place Action Group (PPAG) has been formed to ensure the community’s voice is heard as the proposal proceeds, and to stop or at least improve the development. The group organised an independent register of attendees at a recent public consultation event.

PPAG member Corinne Church estimated more than 200 people attended the meeting, of whom 169 objected to the proposals. She added that still more people were coming forward.

“We have an amazing heritage in Playing Place,” she said. “Would you really want houses built around Stonehenge? Although we haven’t got massive stones, the historical significance of this site is the same.

“The plain an gwarry links the community past, present and future. Playing Place was a through route for the pilgrimage to St Michael’s Mount. Putting houses on that site is despoiling it.”

Ms Church expressed “legitimate concern” about the ability of Old Coach Road to sustain the extra amount of traffic. “If there are any issues on the A39, it’s fed through here and it’s dire when that happens. To have more people placing extra stress on the infrastructure is a worry.”

Legacy Properties stated in its consultation: “The plan … responds to the existing topography, preservation and celebration of the scheduled monuments and establishes a foundation for great quality place-making including new and enhanced landscaping.”

Cornwall Council has confirmed there are currently 62 households seeking affordable homes in Kea parish. The consultation presentation claims the proposed development of 70 dwellings would include 24 - 35 per cent - as affordable homes “which would contribute significantly to meeting the existing need within the community”.

The company says South West Archaeology has completed a heritage statement and consultation is now under way with both Historic England and Cornwall Council’s heritage team to ensure that “the context provided by the Scheduled Ancient Monuments is fully understood and taken into account”.

Feedback from the public consultation was due to be discussed at Kea Parish Council on Thursday [August 21]. We have contacted the Tregothnan Estate for reaction to the residents’ concerns.