Housing will 'destroy woodland and wildlife'

A HOUSING development at Camborne which involves cutting down 26 trees is being opposed by Camborne town councillors.

Planning committee members considered the trees in Rectory Road had been a significant feature of Camborne life for generations.

Highgrove Homes are seeking permission to build nine dwellings on the land.

Planning chairman Dave Biggs said a report by the county arboriculturalist, Ian Davies, complained that an assurance by the developers of the Grange that the remaining trees would be managed as a woodland garden did not happen.

Cllr Biggs told councillors: "I find it strange that all of the trees to be felled are on the inside of the site and only the ones on the outside would remain.

"It is clear to me that this application would ultimately destroy the remaining woodland and wildlife.

"That is not only unacceptable but also contrary to planning guidance."

Residents of the neighbouring development at the Grange attended the meeting because of their worries about the future of the woodland.

Cllr Helene Cullimore told the meeting: "It is not just the trees that would be lost but also the important wildlife habitat."

An application by a Romany gypsy for two mobile homes at Kieve Mill is being opposed by the town council's planning committee.

Cllr Jeff Collins said there was no proper vehicle access along a bridle path and the site bordered an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Previous applications to build in the area had been rejected by the former Kerrier Council.

The proposed site is adjacent to the Kieve Mill sewage works which the meeting was told was planned for expansion.

The applicant, Mr Eddie Richards, told the committee that he wanted the two additional sites for his children and his grandchildren.

Cllr Biggs said the council was in a difficult position. "There is guidance from the Government on the construction of gypsy and traveller sites which specifically rules out building adjacent to a sewage works."