Almost 50 people opposing plans put forward by Helston Railway and Organic Trevarno are pleading with councillors to visit the site of the proposed development before making a final decision.

Trevarno Farm, previously known as Gansey Farm and sited close to Lower Prospidnick, is shared by the railway and the organic skincare company.

An application is seeking consent to install portable buildings from where the skincare manufacturing business will be run and also to extend the already permitted railway track by about 350 metres, construct sidings and railway platforms with associated car parking facilities.

In a letter to Cornwall Council and to local county councillor, John Kieling, residents opposed to the scheme are asking for a site visit.

Prospidnick resident, Adrian Curtis, said: “Due to the scale of the plans and the detrimental effect on residents, we believe it is only fair and right that Cornwall councillors come and see the planning application site for themselves.

If councillors decide on this plan without a visit, they will be making their decision in the dark. “Most local people remain opposed to the Trevarno Organic and Helston Railway planning application, there are very few supporters for it locally.

In a planning statement, the applicants say: “The application proposed, presents an opportunity to put to good use a disused site and buildings.

“To carry out the proposals on the site would provide the re-opening of the old railway branch line, a new visitor attraction and a complimentary rural enterprise for worldwide known skin care products.”

“We are very angry at the proposed change of use for Gansey Farm, a former dairy farm, which could be turned into an industrial site and railway station in the middle of the beautiful Sithney parish countryside if these plans get the go-ahead.

“There has never been a railway station in Prospidnick, and it is just plain wrong to turn a peaceful rural hamlet into an industrial site. The Cornish countryside is littered with planning eyesores and mistakes, and we are determined to fight these plans and stop this application adding to that roll.

“It is clear the railway element to this planning application is about creating a tourist attraction and not reinstating the Helston to Gwinear branch line for commuters.”

The residents also claim the proposed access road would destroy the character of the Victorian Methodist Chapel at Chynhale and the surrounding countryside and add to local flooding problems.

In a planning statement, the applicants say: “The application proposed, presents an opportunity to put to good use a disused site and buildings.

“To carry out the proposals on the site would provide the re-opening of the old railway branch line, a new visitor attraction and a complimentary rural enterprise for worldwide known skin care products.”

“The effect of a rejection of this application would necessitate the closure of the Helston Railway, with the resultant loss of tourist revenue to the area, and Organic Trevarno would be forced to attempt to find rented accommodation outside the area, which not be financially viable and the operation would most probably close with the loss of five full time and four part time jobs in the area.”