'Industrial size polytunnel' blocks views of nearby reservoir

• Picturesque Argal reservoir lies on the outskirts of Penryn in Cornwall

Families living in a picture-postcard village have been left fuming after an ‘industrial size’ polytunnel was built, blocking views of a nearby reservoir.

Picturesque Argal reservoir on the outskirts of Penryn in Cornwall is popular with walkers and families due to stunning views of the water and surrounding woodlands and meadows.

But a ‘huge’ polytunnel has been built on fields overlooking the stretch of water, which villagers from nearby Treverva claim was built without planning permission.

A council meeting heard how residents think the ‘industrial size’ structure is ruining the view and is an ‘eyesore from every direction’.

A ‘huge’ polytunnel has been built on fields overlooking the picturesque Argal reservoir

A council meeting heard how residents think the ‘industrial size’ structure is ruining the view and is an ‘eyesore from every direction’

The meeting, chaired by ward councillor David Saunby and Budock parish councillor Philip Burnett, heard that the polytunnel is sat in a green buffer zone.

This means the area is of high landscape quality and is particularly sensitive to development.

Argal Lake is also well-known for being one of the leading fisheries in the south-west.

One resident said in the meeting: ‘We are fed up with it and we want something done. We feel like we are banging our heads against a brick wall,’ the Falmouth Packet reported.

Cllr Saunby said he’d been told that an application for retrospective planning permission was going to be made – but had not been submitted at the time of the meeting.

The Falmouth Packet reported him as saying: ‘This is not a B&Q mini tunnel hidden behind a hedge that one puts in their garden to grow a few vegetables and flowers, but a huge industrial size poly tunnel.’

He added that it is ‘blotting out the iconic view of Argal lake’.

The owner of the fields where the tunnel was built belong to the owner of company Robotmother which builds ‘quality, sustainable riverside workspaces and homes’.

The polytunnel was set up to help combat climate change by planting trees, plants, flowers and vegetables, the owner of the fields has said

Owner Andrew Marston told the local newspaper that the site – called Viva Treverva – was set up to help combat climate change by planting trees, plants, flowers and vegetables.

He said he’s happy to ‘meet and talk about issues’ residents may have but said the use of the fields are ‘in accordance with the designated use’.

He told the newspaper: ‘Commercial agricultural products benefit society as well as the individuals involved. This is what we are doing at Viva Treverva – unfortunately it is not the same as what was happening there before and this has proved unpopular with some residents.”

Cornwall Council said its planning enforcement team is currently investigating.

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