An eco-friendly campsite between Falmouth and Helston has been granted an alcohol licence despite concerns from nearby residents.
Stay Wild in Carnkie had applied to Cornwall Council for a licence to sell alcohol to campers from a mobile bar.
But the application attracted a number of objections from people living in the village, who said they were concerned that it would lead to noise and disturbance.
The council’s licensing committee agreed to grant the licence, but has restricted sales to be made from one particular field in the 18-acre site.
Tim Sobey, who runs the campsite, told the committee that the site was focused on wildlife and conservation and was aimed at families and couples.
He said that the site was limited to a few pitches and that he hoped to eventually be able to provide a venue for the community to hold garden fetes at the site.
Mr Sobey said that it was also hoped that the site could eventually be used for events such as yoga retreats.
Many of the objectors had made claims about the campsite not having planning permission but committee chairman Bert Biscoe said that this was not under the remit of the committee and it could only consider the licence application.
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Mr Sobey highlighted that a letter had been sent to residents in the village urging them to object to the application.
He said that the letter had included “misinformation” which had led to people having fears about the proposals.
Mr Sobey said that as a result he invited people to visit the campsite and see for themselves what is being run there and to hear about the site.
He added: “We operate a strict noise policy and we have had no issues so far.”
Answering a question from councillors he explained that the campsite asked for no noise after 10pm and said this was followed by guests.
He also said that any noise from the site was only from children having fun.
Mr Sobey said that the site was affiliated with a number of wildlife and conservation groups including Cornwall Wildlife Trust, RSPB and Butterfly Conservation Trust.
He said that there was also a community garden set up on the site and there were plans to invite groups such as local schools, cubs and brownies to the site to experience the wildlife.
Wendron parish councillor Ross Durkin said that the council was concerned about public nuisance which might be caused by the alcohol licence and said that there had been complaints about the campsite.
He also claimed that no consultation had taken place with local residents and also raised concerns about the planning permission for the site.
He said: “The application for the grant of a licence will further legitimise the campsite which has not been established with the correct checks and balances.”
Mr Sobey later explained that the campsite was permitted and said that there had been no building work at the site.
He also disputed claims that there were 25 pitches saying that while they would be able to have up to 25 pitches they did not and had no plans to increase to that size.
Other objectors told the committee that homes overlooked the site and that their own homes were close to the campsite.
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But Mr Sobey said that while some homes were close to the entrance to the site the actual pitches were located in a field some distance away from any homes.
He also said that there were hedgerows and trees which screened the pitches from any houses.
Sam Burridge, who sent the letter encouraging people to object to the plans, was very critical of the application.
He said: “The site has been developed without any consultation with the community. The people who live closest haven’t been spoken to at all. I think that it is appalling.”
Mr Burridge added: “It would be a travesty if 46 residents of this village were not listened to.”
However Mr Sobey said that his door was “wide open” and he would be willing to speak to anyone about the campsite and offer a tour.
He said: “Unfortunately a lot of the points being raised are echoing the misinformation from the letter.”
Mr Sobey said that people who stayed on the site were already allowed to drink alcohol they had brought onto the site and said that the licence was only allowing it to be sold by the campsite.
The campsite boss also said that the site was for couples and families and that hen and stag parties were not allowed and “never will be”.
He highlighted that the application had also had messages of support from some people and said that some villagers had said that it would benefit the village and local businesses.
The committee agreed to grant the licence, but said that it would be limited to field five, which was marked on a plan provided with the application.
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