A NEW watersports club on the Bere Peninsula would set a precedent which could see bulldozers ripping through an area of outstanding natural beauty, it was claimed at a packed meeting in Bere Alston on Tuesday.

But supporters of the scheme at Weir Quay say if planning permission is not granted for the clubhouse, it could signal the end of the road for two thriving community clubs.

The application by Weir Quay Community Watersports Hub Club is for a boatshed, outboard engine store and associated works on land adjacent to South Tamar Mine.

The hub club was formed by members of Weir Quay Sailing Club and Tamar and Tavy Gig Club in an attempt to create a new base, after the lease on the sailing club's facilities expired two years ago.

Mike Street, on behalf of the hub club, told Bere Ferrers Parish Council's planning committee and the many residents who attended the meeting, that the club simply wanted to replace facilities which had been lost to them.

He said the club had done 'everything it could' to try and minimise the impact of the development. Experts were confident the land did not have high levels of arsenic or heavy metal contamination, as many had feared, and that the development would not increase membership of either club, so traffic movement would be no more than at present.

He said: 'If this project fails, there are around 40 dinghies which would have to be taken by trailer up and down the road.

Pete Silcock, a director of the hub club, said: 'We have spent three years trying to tick every box and make this as carefully planned as we can.'

Mr Silcock stressed the expert's view that the land was not contaminated and there would be no danger to wildlife or residents by disturbing it — and he pointed out the social benefits of being able to provide such a facility.

'What about our kids going sailing and gig rowing in the future? This is the one chance we have to give them,' he said.

Hub club trustee Bob Turner said the clubs were family-based, offering incredible value for money: 'If we do not get this proposal through these clubs will go — we have been told by our current landlord that we are on borrowed time.

'This is the one option that's realistic. We are trying to take everybody's considerations and views on board. We are not trying to expand, we are merely trying to replace like for like and ensure these 200 people will still have the opportunity to enjoy the river.'

But Mary Logan, speaking for the Friends of Weir Quay, said 77% of its members were 'strongly opposed' to the scheme, an 'intrusive and out of character' development which would 'destroy the unique character' of the area.

Mrs Logan said the issue of contaminated land was 'an important public health issue'. She questioned the hub club's claim to be a community movement and said there were many families in the area who could not afford their fees.

She said the Friends feared that residents' and visitors' 'rightful enjoyment' of a peaceful, beautiful area would be diminished if the plan was approved.

Vic Gardner said such a development in the AONB was completely inappropriate.

'If you create this precedent you could put the bulldozers right through the Tamar Valley,' he said.

Resident Margaret Patterson said six generations of her family had lived and worked in the parish.

She said even a small percentage increase in the club's membership would cause 'traffic chaos' in the narrow lane leading to Weir Quay.

'You take your life in your hands walking down there,' said Mrs Patterson.

'What's the point of being a site of special scientific interest, an area of outstanding natural beauty, and being part of a World Heritage site if you are going to allow building on it?' she said.

John Hillson said he represented the fourth generation of his family to live and work in the area.

'I haven't worked my backside off for people to come in and tear it all apart. The area is designated all over the place, what's the point if that's not addressed?' said Mr Hillson. He sympathised with the hub club but said the solution would be to buy the barn it was currently using from the Cleave Estate.

Elizabeth Lenton, speaking for the Cleave Estate, the hub club's current landlord, said: 'The barn is not now, and never will be, for sale. It's not fit for purpose for a modern community club.

'We have looked at all the possibilities and rejected all the ones that are impractical or ridiculous. My mother, who lives there, will be the club's nearest neighbour and she is satisfied with the safeguards the clubs are proposing, to keep down traffic, preserve the flora and fauna — we hope to have them as our neighbours.'

The parish council, in the light of the apparent split within the community regarding the issue, agreed to defer any recommendation to West Devon Borough Council, as the local planning authority, and will request a site visit before they make any decision.