A PLAN to build a manager’s house and a series of holiday lets near a Chinese restaurant has been rejected.

Plans to build the properties next to the Moonbay Chinese Restaurant at Mawgan went before Cornwall Council’s west sub-area planning committee.

Under the proposals seven homes would be constructed next to the restaurant, formerly known as Zucchini’s Italian Kitchen, with one being a home for the manager and the others as holiday accommodation on a former camping site.

Planning officers had recommended that the plans be refused as residents would be reliant on cars to access services and facilities.

There were also concerns about the harm the development could have on the open character of the countryside. Officers also said there was no requirement for a manager’s home at the site.

Paul Baker, agent for the applicants, said there were clear “economic and social benefits” for the scheme and said these outweighed any detrimental impact.

He also said the development would lead to a reduction in traffic in the area as the manager would be resident on the site.

Mr Baker said there had been no objections to the plans from the parish council or from members of the public.

He added: “The alternative is that I will be back here with the restaurant being redundant and proposed to being turned into housing. I hope that will not be the case.”

The committee was not convinced by the arguments and said it agreed with the objections raised by planning officers.

Councillors voted unanimously to refuse planning permission for the development.