PLANS to use a field at Clifden Farm, Halgabron, Tintagel as a small campsite for three months of the year, with up to 30 pitches for tents, caravans and motor homes and the siting of temporary toilets, could be given the go-ahead according to pre-application advice.

For most of the year the field is grazed by dairy cows but was used for camping last summer under the permitted development rights and proved popular, according to the owners.

Giving advice, Development Officer, Lorrraine Lehan acknowledged the proposed development would have some economic benefits from increased spend from tourists in the local economy, providing additional employment opportunities and potential economic benefits for local businesses in servicing the development.

However, she added that in considering a formal application the benefits will be weighed against the harm that would be caused. This is in terms of the encroachment of development into the undeveloped countryside and the adverse landscape and visual impacts and harm to the character of the area that could result from developing this visually prominent and elevated site and the additional traffic movement that would arise. She advised that any future application should take this into consideration and look to mitigate against these concerns.