Letter to Cornishman, published 17th June.

So, we all look on as the clash of the Titans begins and Sainsbury's, Tesco and British International Helicopters square up to each other in an exercise to either protect their assets (Tesco,) expand their assets (Sainsbury's) or strip their assets (BIH.) This month’s minutes from Penzance Chamber of Commerce states that Tesco have purchased Ponsandane field and are submitting a planning application by August 10 to extend the store to double its size, prior to Sainsbury submitting their plans, by September 10.

Sadly, I have seen no evidence from any of them, that they have considered the consequences their actions will have on Penwith’s greatest asset, its natural beauty. When considering the Sainsbury planning application, will the authorities recognise the tragic knock on effect that a relocation of the heliport to Land’s End might have, if they allow it? If BIH fly from Land’s End Aerodrome, our designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (including Whitesand Bay, its coastal path and surrounding countryside,) will be severely challenged by an 100 percent increase in air traffic, and the subsequent noise and emissions from low flying helicopters landing and taking off. Road traffic will reach dangerous levels. Perhaps, planning objections featuring this environmental trauma will fail to fit into the neatly defined criteria required by the authorities. If this is so, who will champion our AONB in the face of such a strong line up?

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 Part 1V - section 85 states that ’relevant authorities’ will have a regard to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the AONB: areas that have been designated the highest status of protection in relation to their landscape and scenic beauty. Under the Act, parish councils, town councils and county councils are ‘relevant authorities.’

BIH are currently negotiating their relocation and Tesco and Sainsbury's preparing their planning applications. I hope and expect that our councils will uphold their statutory duties, by entering negotiations on behalf of the AONB. These should include, at the very least, the process of ‘scoping,’ to determine the content and extent of matters that should be submitted to the authorities for projects which are subject to an environmental impact assessment.
If not, then poor guardianship could be responsible for despoliation of one of OUR most precious assets.

Caroline Passingham