Tourist attraction ponies relocated following rejection of home construction permit application

In the picturesque Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, a long-standing tradition of conservation grazing has come to an abrupt end, causing concern among locals and environmentalists. The decision to remove 16 ponies from Rame Head, a part of the park, has been met with dismay, following the rejection of a planning application by farmer Mr. Wilton to build a two-storey home on the site.

Initially granted planning permission by Cornwall Council in 2020, the case was later reviewed by the High Court due to complaints from locals. The court retrospectively refused planning permission, claiming that the planning committee had not followed the correct process. Consequently, Mr. Wilton has complied with the ruling and removed the ponies that were crucial for maintaining the land classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The ponies were not only an attraction that drew tourists to the area but also played a vital role in managing this protected area. Grazing animals like these help maintain the unique wildlife and geological features that make Rame Head an important nature reserve.

Councillor Kate Ewert, the joint chair of the Mount Edgcumbe Joint Committee, acknowledges the concerns about the management of Rame Head without the ponies. She emphasises the importance of finding a solution that ensures appropriate land management going forward.

The MECP (Mount Edgcumbe Country Park) is currently negotiating with relevant parties to address this issue. They have requested the tenant farmer to restore grazing on Rame Head as soon as possible.

The Rame Protection Group suggests that if Mr. Wilton does not want to maintain Rame Head with conservation grazing, he should consider giving the land back to its rightful owners, namely Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council.

Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, a Grade I listed landscape, attracts about 250,000 visitors each year. The park's management will undoubtedly need to find a solution that balances the needs of conservation, local residents, and visitors, as the removal of the ponies has raised significant concerns.

In a separate development, it was previously reported that a farmer planned to build a wind turbine at Rame Head, Cornwall. However, the focus now shifts towards finding a sustainable solution for the management of this sensitive and valuable area.

Tourist attraction ponies relocated following rejection of home construction permit application