It is full steam ahead for a project to continue restoring a section of railway track near Helston and make it easier for visitors to enjoy the hard work of volunteers.

Helston Railway Preservation Company is celebrating this week after winning its appeal against refusal by Cornwall Council to grant planning permission almost a year ago.

The Planning Inspectorate has now ruled that development at Trevarno Farm, Prospidnick should be allowed, to allow members to keep extending the track along the former Helston branch line, as well as build railway sidings and a platform for the extended length.

They are also now able to build a toilet block, keep using farm buildings for storage and land for a 60 space car park, as well as build a new access road.

Inspector Neil Pope said: "Most developments result in some adverse impact and where these impacts are significant it may be necessary to withhold permission. In this instance, there would be no serious loss of privacy or significant noise disturbance.

"I find that the benefits outweigh the limited adverse impacts upon the living conditions of some neighbouring

residents.

"I appreciate that my decision will disappoint some residents but in reaching a balanced decision it is important to weigh the adverse impacts with the benefits."

This application had been submitted to resolve some of the issues raised in an earlier draft, which had been refused on appeal.

At that time, however, the planning inspector then had described it as a "very finely balanced decision" and this was seen as an "important material consideration" in this new ruling.

The differences between the new application and the original include making a greater distance from the platform and car park to the nearest neighbouring property, adding screening and reducing the number of train services.

Previously there had been concern the new extension would pass along the bottom gardens of a nearby property and its adjacent barn, and in the winter people travelling on the train would be able to look down into the gardens due to no leaves on the trees.

However, Mr Pope felt that now, by limiting the frequency to seven two-way trips per day, this would be a "considerable reduction" of what was previously planned and he believed the gardens would not be in use as much during the winter anyway.

Despite this, he said a condition would be needed for a noise barrier and privacy screen to protect neighbouring residents, with another condition to limit the days and hours when the site is open to the public and for construction and excavation.

A letter of support was written by the College of Humanities at the University of Exeter, with Mr Pope also hearing of local schools visiting the railway, and he said these benefits carried "considerable weight."

Writing on their website Helston Railway thanked all their supporters, saying: "Thank you to everyone who helped, whether it was working on the application, raising funds, giving us support, writing letters, or holding our hands and telling us to keep trying. You have all been absolutely wonderful and we couldn’t have done it without you."