MORE than 100 letters opposing plans to redevelop a holiday site with new units were not enough to stop planning permission being granted. Caradon District Councillors on the Planning Committee (West) voted 8-5 to allow 42 holiday units to be redeveloped at the Talland Caravan Park, Polperro. The permanent units have been described as beach huts and hill-side units with metal or slate roofs. Neighbours voiced concerns that the site would become a 'residential housing estate', though a report from planning officers issued to councillors attending last Thursday's meeting sought to allay these fears. The matter was last discussed at a planning meeting in February when it was decided that a site meeting should be held before a decision was made. There were questions over whether development would have an impact on the landscape, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. But the report submitted to councillors said the new low-density development is designed in a more sensitive way, providing a landscape which should be considered to be subtle and sensitive to the environment. Leader of the council Hugh Francis said: 'There's a temptation to approve this because it is better than what's here already. But we are now much more conscious about AONB.' The existing caravan park consists of a mixed layout of static caravans, touring caravan pitches and tent pitches, catering for nearly 800 people. Applicants Mr and Mrs Haywood have said they will upgrade the site to meet modern standards, which will also mean that there will be no room for touring caravans or tents. A landscaping scheme will be included and the holiday units will be hidden from outside the holiday park. All of the units will be rented out as managed holiday accommodation. They can be sold and will be available for renting on the open market to tourists for a certain amount of time a year. Although a percentage of the units will be sold, they will still be managed by holiday park staff. Deborah McCann, in favour of the plan, said there would be minimum disruption to local people and that the site was intended for holiday accommodation. 'There will be year-round employment opportunities and local employment during construction,' she said. 'It will also improve tourism in the area in the future.' Chairman Roger Philp said that the application had received a lot of comments in the past, most of which had been against the plan. 'Anything to get rid of those marquee-sized tents,' said cllr Nick Mallard. 'The idea of it being improved delights me.'
