PLANS to extend an industrial site so businesses using it can expand have been unanimously blocked by councillors.

A planning application had been made to increase the size of Carnyorth Industrial Estate near St Just so that firms operating there could expand.

The application first went before Cornwall Council’s west sub area planning committee in March when it was deferred so that more information could be provided.

CGS Contractors and Celtic Turf are currently based at the site and wanted to increase the waste management site from 0.53 hectares to 1.21 hectares.

However there were concerns raised about impact the development could have on the area which is within the World Heritage Site and plans to demolish an engine house on the site.

One of the reports requested by councillors when the plans first came forward was a revised heritage impact assessment which could give guidance on what the impact might be.

As a result of that assessment both the Cornwall Council historic environment service and World Heritage Site office raised strong objections to the plans due to the harm they could cause to historic sites.

Planning officers at the council recommended the plans for refusal, stating that the harm would outweigh the benefits of extending the site.

Local residents had also raised concerns about the possible increase in traffic and noise if the site was to expand.

Cornwall councillor for the area, Sue James, said there was a balance between protecting the environment while also protecting jobs at local businesses.

She said: “As the local member for this area I do not want to see these jobs lost.”

An additional report submitted to the committee showed that the applicants had also looked at alternative sites where it could work from in St Austell, Penzance and Lanivet, but none of them were found to be viable.

However the planning committee accepted the recommendation of the planning officer and voted unanimously to refuse planning permission.