A PIONEERING project which could put Callington on the map has failed to get planning permission, despite huge enthusiasm for the scheme, because cash has run out to fund vital surveys. Mother Earth wants to redevelop the former Redmoor Mine site at Kelly Bray as a tourist attraction, which would include a shaft walkway and viewing platforms over one of the deepest mineshafts in Cornwall. The scheme would also be a leader in using natural methods to heal land contaminated by arsenic and heavy metals which could extend to mine sites across Cornwall. But costly surveys have already soaked up a £75,000 Objective 1 grant and the applicants, a spin-off from the Haye Valley Charity Trust which has been offering free counselling for people in crisis for 22 years, are desperately seeking more funds to address issues such as ground stability, the geological value of the site, traffic implications, flooding and contamination issues. Caradon District Council planning officer Peter Whitehead told the recent meeting of the planning committee that he was 'regrettably' recommending the scheme for refusal although he did not think the principle of a mine interpretation centre was wrong. 'It is always going to be a challenge to deal with what is a very complex site,' he said. The charity's chairman Robin Lish said about £100,000 was needed to complete the surveys and a lot of work was going on to try and attract that money. 'This is the sort of figure we are looking for to provide the information which will satisfy the planners, but we have been very encouraged so far by the verbal support for the scheme,' he said. He said there had been backing from Soil Association, the South West Growers' Association and Liverpool University, who had run trials on healing land in coal mining areas by growing plants such as reed and willow which absorb contaminants. Plans for the 16.5-acre site also include a visitors' centre on the footplate of a former building, cafe, nature trail and processing unit for basket making — from willow plants grown on site — and producing organic fuel from apple waste from the charity's orchards elsewhere in the area. Mr Lish said outline planning permission would release finance to develop the project which has been estimated at £4.9-million. The site lies within the recently designated World Heritage Mining Landscape of Cornwall and West Devon. He said the development of the mine would create a 'very special Callington heritage site' that was presently fenced off by barbed wire. 'Nobody can use it and it is a lovely spot — we want to clean up the site and create employment opportunities for local people.' The attraction would also act as a public interface for the Haye Mill Charity Trust and be the commercial arm of the charity, which was recently given planning permission to build a new counselling centre at Haye Mill. Mr Lish said: 'We do not intend to run it as a business for profit — any money that we do not use will be given to other charities.' Callington Town Council unanimously supported the project at its recent meeting. Town and district councillor Chris Thomas said: 'I think this would be fantastic for Callington and East Cornwall. 'Most of the heritage money will inevitably be spent in West Cornwall and here is an opportunity to make this area of the county a much more interesting place to visit.' Anyone who can help the project should call Mother Earth on 01579 382885.