There are fears further development could cause a graveyard to "wash away."

Such is the number of buildings in one area of Coverack now that the risk of flooding grows ever greater, according to members of St Keverne Parish Council.

They were debating the latest plans for Chymbloth Way, where Mr and Mrs K Reynolds hope to knock down what is a described as a "sub-standard dwelling" on the plot of Mayfield and replace it with two houses.

However, councillors declared this to be a total overdevelopment of the land and feared the graveyard would wash away, with the amount of water that already ran off the land towards the church and graveyard being "phenomenal" - and further development would only make it worse.

The idea of replacing a bungalow with a pair of two-storey houses was described as "totally ridiculous."

A number of members questioned why the existing house was being described as "sub-standard" and who had made that decision. In documents accompanying the plans the house is described as having "reached the end of its useful life."

Councillors agreed to recommend strongly that the plans be refused by Cornwall Council, with Cornwall Councillor Julian Rand agreeing to ask for a site visit before any decision was made.

Cornwall AONB Partnership has also objected, saying it would cause "unacceptable harm" to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and there are 21 public letters of objection.