Netflix Afterlife star Ricky Gervais signed the petition

Phil Kerry applied to install a mobile home for a temporary worker's dwelling to service a proposed rabbit farm and the erection of an agricultural building last year.

The site stands in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) on land north of Tregunwith Wood, Tregunwith, Mylor Bridge as well as being on the banks of the creek.

The application was refused by Cornwall Council's planning committee which followed a massive backlash from people and animal rights groups across the country.

Following the refusal last year, Mr Kerry has lodged an appeal which starts from February 1 against the council's decision.

The appeal has been made to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The appeal will be decided on the basis of an exchange of written statements by the parties and a site visit by an inspector.

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The original application attracted over 300 comments of objection from all over the world after it was revealed that Mr Kerry wanted to open a free range rabbit farm.

Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty objected to the proposal as did The Restronguet Creek Society and many nearby residents who said it would blight the AONB.

A petition against it was also launched by Rabbit Farm Resistance UK and was signed by over 40,000 people including Netflix Afterlife star Ricky Gervais.

The petition said it believed there was no place in the 21st century for a rabbit farm with the risk of disease, the animals suffering, fears of a return to factory farming and pollution.

The application was refused by the council on the grounds that the construction of a new temporary workers dwelling in the countryside, detached from any definable settlement containing the necessary facilities required to support day-to-day occupation, would encourage the use of a private motor vehicle and is not considered to be a sustainable development.