AN application for further time in which to start building works at St Mellion International golf course looks set to be refused by Caradon council.

Outline permission was given in the l990s for works such as erection of l99 houses, comprising 127 high quality golf linked properties and 72 various properties including craft homes, elderly people's accommodation, housing association homes and affordable local worker homes. Also included was erection of a luxury hotel, conference and leisure complex, and expansion of St Mellion village comprising a new village green, a village hall and two children's play areas.

No houses were to be built until a by-pass to St Mellion is open, there was a bond in place for the upgrading of the public sewage treatment system, and the golf course on which the golfing residences were to be sited had been constructed.

Planning officers, in their report to Caradon's planning control committee (east) which met last night (Thursday), said there are six landowners who own various parcels of land which make up the planning application site. However, the current applicants are Beazer Homes, Bridgwater.

The original applicants were the then owners of the golfing complex. Their plans were submitted in l99l.

An appeal allowed a nine hole golf course at St Mellion, but a housing element which was part of that appeal, and which involved 62 golf linked homes, will not, Caradon officers say, be capable of implementation. They point out the terms of the legal agreement which states that no residences can be constructed until the by-pass is opened.

They explain in their report: 'It must now be seriously questioned whether it is appropriate to grant any further extensions of time in respect of these proposals, and thereby to continue the uncertainty about the future development of the entire site.'

They added: 'Explanation has been sought from the current applicants, and indeed from the owners of the St Mellion complex – American Golf – as to exactly what their intentions or priorities now are for the development at St Mellion. No information has been forthcoming. However, it seems preferable that any future improvements or additions to the existing facilities at St Mellion should be considered afresh under new applications rather than through revival of what is effectively a defunct l99l scheme.'

Their recommendation was for refusal of the application.