A CAMPAIGN group has been formed to fight the construction of a new home close to Rame Head.

The Rame Defence Group consists of around 80 residents who object in strong terms to a planning application sumbitted by Chris Wilton, who chairs the Maker with Rame Parish Council.

Mr Wilton hopes to build a four-bedroom property on land he owns near Penmillard Farm. The farm itself is owned by the Mount Edgcumbe estate and the Wilton family are tenants. In a statement submitted to Cornwall Council, agent LAH Design says that Mr Wilton returned to assist his parents with running the farm 20 years ago and has been living in a mobile home, but that now that he has a young family, a new agricultural dwelling is needed.

At the time of writing, more than 160 people had left comments on Cornwall Council’s planning website in relation to the proposal, with around two thirds of these in objection, and a third in support.

Objectors feel that the new building would detract from the setting of Rame Head and be a ’bad landmark’, and they worry that the granting of permission could set a precedent for new building within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). They refer to the unspoiled nature of the headland as compared to other parts of Cornwall where caravan sites or housing have been allowed close to the coastline.

The Rame Defence Group says the build could disturb the habitat of wild plants and animal species, including the rare Cirl Bunting. There are also concerns over whether in future, it would be possible to enforce the tenancy obligations of an agricultural permission onto a freehold property which is one kilometre from the tenanted farm to which it relates.

The Maker with Rame Parish Council, following a discussion and votes amongst its members by email, has given its support to the proposal. The Council states that: ’The effects of the proposed development are considered to be very localised with minimal impact on the landscape.

’The buildings sit tightly into the hedge bank and are effectively screened from many ground level views for most people. Any harm that there is, and we consider it to be negligible, needs to be weighed against the benefits of the proposed development in providing additional accommodation and necessary infrastructure in direct support of a local and rural business.’

But these comments are contradicted by a statement provided by Jim Wood, a planning officer with the Cornwall AONB Unit. In his report he states that the wording of the Landscape and Visual Assessment attached to the planning submission ’understates and underplays the effects of the development’.

He says: ’The proposed dwelling with its scale, mix of materials and extensive glazing and glazed balustrade will create a prominent new skyline landmark and will be particularly conspicuous at night. The proposed dwelling appears to pay little respect to its setting, instead offering an unwelcome assertive presence. It will form a conspicuous and dischordant additional element in the local landscape.’

Mr Wood says the AONB Unit recommends that if an agricultural dwelling is required, it should be built in a ’more discreet location’ closer to existing farm buildings.

The Cornish Times approached Mr Wilton for a comment but did not receive a reply.