A resounding “no” has been issued against a proposed development of 340 homes on the outskirts of Helston.

Although officers at Cornwall Council had recommended that the application for the HX1 land near Trewennack be recommended for approval at appeal, the planning committee was unanimous in its objection.

Members universally raised objections to an appeal that has been put in to the Secretary of State by developers Jackamax, after Cornwall Council failed to reach a decision before the given deadline.

Last Thursday the planning committee said it would have been minded to refuse the application if it was still within their determination.

They cited loss of agricultural land, an unsustainable site due to its location, with its distance to amenities and gradient forcing a reliance on cars, the lack of local support, the fact it was a “significant extension” of the boundary and impact on existing residents.

Councillor Neil Hatton said the 20-year need for 900 new homes in the Helston area seemed to be being met “with indecent haste” in the first four years, describing it as a “lemming rush” from developers.

It is now up to the Secretary of State to decide whether to allow the appeal and grant planning permission anyway, or refuse it and the application fails.

As part of the debate at County Hall a housing officer said that at the time of speaking it was proposed that Helston and Wendron parishes would have equal claim on the affordable housing to begin with – despite the land falling within just Wendron parish.

Ian McDonald, who lives near the site, spoke on behalf of residents in the area, saying: “I hope you get a full feeling of the frustration that we feel over having this forced upon us.

“As residents we have sent a clear message from day one that this development is not welcome in Helston.”

He added that residents were not against further development, but in the right place.

Mr McDonald spoke of fears of accidents caused by an increase in traffic at the single entrance proposed, with the flood risk a “real fear” and the proposed alleviation scheme of empty pools that fill up with excess water potentially having “tragic consequences.”

Wendron Parish Council chairwoman Mrs Warren spoke of the loss of “valuable, high grade agricultural land”, while Cornwall Councillor Loveday Jenkin, who is not on the planning committee but represents the Wendron parish in her division, said the local “framework” document – despite having limited weight as it had yet to be signed off by Cornwall Council – showed strong local support for an alternative site, HX2, near Helston Business Park.

She claimed the impact on Wendron parish would be “wholly negative” and affordable housing of that nature was not what was needed in that area, with the parish council already supporting smaller schemes.

Cornwall Councillor Judith Haycock, who represents Helston south, said the proposed site was some distance from town facilities, with the library and post office a 40 minute walk away, the nearest shop being 30 minutes walk to Tesco and the only primary school with places being Nansloe Academy, which was two miles away.

It prompted planning committee member Councillor Andrew Long to describe it as an “urban creep out into the open countryside” away from essential services.