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Plans for a holiday park on protected land in Cornwall have sparked outrage among locals, with the proposals dubbed a "monstrosity". The 67-unit site on the north Cornish coast near Newquay was approved by a government inspector last month after being rejected by local authorities concerned about its environmental and infrastructural impact in late 2024. The CABÜ Cabin Holiday park, which will include a swimming pool, spa, shop, restaurant and bar, was proposed as a way of reusing the land near Holywell Bay, which previously functioned as Penhale Arm Camp and has over 90 dilapidated structures still standing.

But locals are worried the project will upset wildlife in the area, including the endangered Cornish chough and grey seals that have made their home in the Special Scientific Site of Interest (SSSI). Resident Jacqui Treasure told councillors at a meeting in December that as well as causing environmental damage via construction, the project would mean an "invasion" of tourist cars on the only route to the site, exacerbating existing traffic.

She added: "This development is entirely unecessary and would impact on the local area. Along with innumerable holiday properties, Holywell already has three caravan parks - it does not need more holiday accommodation, particularly when the new buildings on the site make it bigger than Holywell itself."

At the same meeting, she labelled the plans a "catastrophe" that would "ruin" the area, acccording to Cornwall Live.

Councillor John Fitter, who was among the local representatives to vote against the proposals, said it was a "no brainer" to ensure the "monstrosity" didn't go ahead.

But a government planning inspector officially overrode the backlash to wave the project through on January 29, concluding that it was "of appropriate scale to its location" and "would not have a harmful impact on the surrounding area".

The appeal report also highlighted the benefits of replacing the 97 deteriorating buildings currently at the site, which have fallen into disrepair since the Ministry of Defence withdrawal in 2010.

It continued: "The replacement buildings would broadly replicate the scale and form of those they replace, while the new buildings have been sensitively designed with regard to their scale, form and materials.

"Local residents at the hearing described the former military camp as an historical and accepted feature of the landscape. While I acknowledge the long-standing presence of the former military camp, it remains visually discordant with its surroundings, particularly given its deteriorating condition and appearance which are likely to worsen over time."

Application agent Edward Lewidge said last year that extensive work had been carried out with Natural England to ensure the sensitive sites would be protected during both construction and operation.