Huge cliff fall at beach with planned luxury homes

A huge cliff fall at a beach where a luxury housing development is planned has sent tonnes of rock and mud onto the sands below.

Nobody was reported injured in the fall at about 13:00 GMT at Whipsiderry near Newquay and the area has been cordoned off by Cornwall Council.

Earlier this year preliminary work to reinforce the cliff ahead of the development was halted after campaigners raised safety concerns.

Developer, Living Quarter Properties, has permission to build seven homes on the cliffs above the beach.

About 16ft (5m) of cliff top had fallen along with fencing around the development, said Leah Steward of the Save Whipsiderry Group.

She told BBC News: "There have been about 12 falls since March and we used to get only one a year.

"This is the biggest I have seen here.

"I feel so angry because we predicted this would happen, it should never have got to this stage because it is not a sustainable site.

"I don't see how they can develop that land safely."

Planning consent for the development has previously been granted by Cornwall Council.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) granted a licence for cliff reinforcement work, while the Duchy - a private estate that funds both the charitable and private activities of the Duke of Cornwall, Prince William - granted access to the beach.

In March the Duchy suspended access "in order for discussions between the developer and the relevant statutory authorities to take place and for those authorities to determine if and how the consented work can take place in a safe and compliant manner".

Cornwall Council said it was closing the steps down to the beach and the surrounding footpath., external

It urged people to "stay away from the area for your own safety".

It added: "Be aware that with the steps closed, there is a risk of getting cut off by the tide if walking along the beach from Porth to Watergate."

Devon and Cornwall Police said they were called to a "significant" cliff fall by coastguards, who confirmed there were no injuries.

A police cordon has been put in place with additional fencing.

Living Quarter Properties has been approached for comment.

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