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Almost 900 people have signed a petition calling on Cornwall Council to reject a plan to build 40 new houses on land known locally as 'the Cricket Field'. The site has been described as "one of the few remaining areas of open green space serving the surrounding community". Kingsley Developments has submitted a planning application for the residential development on what it describes as "modified grassland with areas of unmanaged scrub", which was historically used as a plant nursery, off Mary's Well, Illogan, near Redruth. The application has received 63 objections, with none in support, on the council's planning portal since it was validated by Cornwall Council on July 7. Illogan Parish Council has sent Cornwall Council's planning department a lengthy report on why members voted to strongly oppose the application, which includes 26 reasons based on planning policy and highways, local character impact and highways concerns. To see all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your area, visit the Public Notice Portal HERE A Change.org petition started by an Illogan resident on behalf of campaigners, who favour a green community vision for the 1.6-hectare site, had received 893 signatures at the time of writing. Kingsley Developments' application states that the scheme incorporates appropriate ecological safeguards and the provision of public open space. The petition says: "The Cricket Field represents one of the few remaining areas of open green space serving the surrounding community. Once this land is built upon, it will be lost forever. We believe there is a better, more sustainable future for this site that benefits both people and nature." Rather than residential development, the campaigners support a vision that provides: - Community allotments to enable residents to grow their own fruit and vegetables - Community gardens that promote wellbeing, social inclusion and opportunities for people of all ages to come together - Dedicated food-growing spaces that improve local food resilience, encourage healthy lifestyles and support environmental sustainability - The protection and enhancement of existing Cornish hedgerows, mature trees and wildlife habitats - Improved biodiversity through native planting, pollinator habitats and wildlife corridors - Accessible green space that supports physical and mental health for current and future generations - A potential site for significant tree growth as part of the Forest for Cornwall project. Among concerns about the proposed development are that it would: - Result in the permanent loss of valuable green space - Harm local wildlife and biodiversity, including habitats used by deer, bats, birds and amphibians such as newts that have been observed in and around the site, disrupting the refuge and ancestral breeding and foraging home for countless species - Increase traffic and road safety concerns on local roads - Place additional pressure on local GP surgeries, schools and other infrastructure - Change the character of the area and reduce the environmental benefits that the open land currently provides. The petition states: "The nature of Illogan village has already been eroded by multiple developments in the past few years and has already met the pro-rate share of the CNA Rural Housing Figure - 40 houses would be an over-development as a rural site. "Cornwall Council has committed to improving biodiversity, increasing access to nature and creating healthier, more resilient communities. Retaining this land as green infrastructure would better support these objectives than residential development. "We therefore respectfully ask Cornwall Council to refuse the proposed development and instead explore opportunities for a community-led green infrastructure strategy that delivers allotments, community gardens, food-growing spaces and enhanced wildlife habitats for the benefit of present and future generations." A planning statement in support of Kingsley Developments' application says that ecological surveys confirm that the site contains "modified grassland of generally low intrinsic ecological value, together with native and non-native hedgerows, including two Habitats of Principal Importance. "A line of mature Monterey Cypress trees is located along the western boundary and an active badger sett is present in the south west corner of the site. "The site does not lie within any statutory ecological designation. It is approximately 160 metres from East Tehidy County Wildlife Site within Tehidy Country Park. "The design of the scheme incorporates appropriate ecological safeguards, including buffers of 30 metres to the badger sett, retention of key hedgerows and trees, and the provision of public open space to ensure both protection and enhancement of ecological features". The application documents add: "The western boundary tree line will be retained and protected. New planting will strengthen the site's boundaries and soften views from surrounding countryside. "The public open space will be managed as species-rich grassland with relaxed mowing regimes to increase biodiversity value ... providing habitat enhancement and contributing to a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain through native planting and long-term management." The developer says the scale of development would reflect surrounding housing. The scheme would comprise a mix of single-storey and two-storey homes, including detached, semi-detached and terraced units. For more details, see planning application PA26/04237. You can see the petition here. To sign up to the weekly Cornwall Politics newsletter click here. Want the latest Cornwall breaking news and top stories first? Get all the latest stories, sent straight to your WhatsApp - all you need to do is click the link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CKObHkgJF4T5fRZxiGdYqd We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. 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