A house can be built on part of the car park at a Mullion hotel, following a controversial decision by planners.

The development at the Ridgeback Lodge Hotel in Nansmellyon Road was given the go ahead when Kerrier district council's planning committee approved an application from Mr D Keen to build a dwelling and alter hotel car parking.

Their decision followed a site meeting at the property, at which councillors spoke to Mr Keen, representatives from Mullion parish council and local residents.

Members were told that the site was in an Area of Great Scientific Value, the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Coastal Zone and Heritage Coast, but that the proposals were considered not to conflict with any of these designations.

The applicant's agent, Scott Hesketh Designs, said that there would be no reduction in the number of car parking spaces for the hotel and that two spaces and a garage were proposed for the dwelling.

However, chairman of Mullion parish council John Lang reiterated his council's opposition for the proposals and emphasised that the access lane was not an adopted road but a bye-way and local residents expressed serious concerns about the increased use of the lane, fearing it was also an over-development of the site.

At last Thursday's meeting of Kerrier council (September 6) councillor Carolyn Rule spoke at length of her concerns about the proposal, but in spite of this councillors voted on majority to approve the application, subject to the comments from the conservation officers.