Coverack would be left "in turmoil" if further developments are allowed to take place.

This was the view from one resident after hearing of plans to replace a holiday let with a house of at least four bedrooms.

The application from Drenbre Ltd is for the grounds of Thornhill, where there is an existing house and planning permission already granted for a further four houses - two of which have been built and two controversially allowed at the start of this year.

Malcolm Gilbert, who lives opposite Thornhill, told St Keverne Parish Council: "Four years ago they put in for five [houses] - the council allowed two. Then I was here the early part of this year and they allowed another two, which is four. If they allow this one, it would have been just as well they allowed the five in the beginning."

He raised concerns over the safety of the road and the potential addition for another two cars exiting the property, describing it as "in a dangerous place."

Mr Gilbert also described the existing holiday let as "not much bigger than a garage."

"To be honest, everybody has got a garage. If they allow this type of thing to be brought forward, everybody with a garage can say 'We've got a big enough garage, we can do that'. The village will be in turmoil.

"The village is all about people knowing each other, without these multi-storey houses being put in," he added.

The developer, Pip Kevern, also spoke to councillors, telling them: "We're just putting in for an infill plot, which ticks all the planning boxes. Highways has passed the application for access to the property."

Documents accompanying the planning application add: "The application site falls within the settlement of Coverack and is surrounded by built development on all sides.

"The development will not appear incongruous in the built form setting and will not adversely impact upon the landscape, character or scenic beauty of the designated Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty."

However, parish councillors believed that the applicant could instead be asking for planning permission to simply change the existing building from a holiday let to a home.

Councillor Bill Frisken said: "It's not a replacement, it's a huge development of a house. Talk about overdevelopment, it's incredible.

"There are no pavements either side of the road. The road is narrow; it can't take two vehicles there. And a lot of children come down there in the summer.

"It's getting ludicrous. The parking in the summer is absolutely jam packed solid.

"I think it's total overdevelopment and should not be allowed, otherwise the system will just fall apart."

It was agreed unanimously to recommend to Cornwall Council that the plans be refused, adding that there must have been a reason while only two properties were initially given permission.