DEVELOPERS want to demolish a former mine captain's building at Drakewalls — just metres away from a proposed flagship visitors' centre which will promote the mining heritage of the area. The scheme by Headland Park Developments to knock down Glendorgals and build 16 new homes on the site has been strongly opposed by Calstock Parish Council. A previous application to erect a much smaller number of bungalows in the extensive grounds of Glendorgals was approved by Caradon District Council's planning committee. The mine captain's house served the former Drakewall Mine, which is the site of the soon to be built Tamar Valley Centre. The mine dates back to the 13th Century and the Gunnislake area was known for producing the best arsenic in Cornwall. Visitors attending the Tamar Valley Centre will be able to learn all about the mining heritage of the area following the designation of World Heritage Status to Cornwall and West Devon. Cllr Ian Kirk said it would be senseless to knock down an historic mining building so close to the centre. 'This is a key part of the world heritage site — you can't go on about the heritage and then knock down the mine captain's house just down the road. What would they do next — get rid of the remaining mine buildings at Drakewalls?' Local people have signed a petition against the development. Calstock Parish Council has also objected to a plan for 25 homes at the nearby Pearce's Yard. Both schemes are considered to be 'over-development.' Contaminated land, problems of access, highway safety and inadequate parking are other concerns. Glendorgals, which has extensive grounds, was described as a very desirable location and a highly visible site. Cllr Ian Kirk said the scheme, which would provide 50% affordable housing, would be a skyline development in the area of outstanding natural beauty. 'There is also the contaminated land issue,' he said. 'We should learn lessons from the development at the old station yard, where there was a collapsed mine shaft and contamination land. 'Caradon has a half-baked scheme for dealing with contamination which is to bury it and hope for the best. 'To deal with it properly is hugely expensive but when you are talking about providing affordable housing it is just not economical.' Cllr Rachel Puddiphatt said she understood the developers wanted to maximise their return on the land but it was a great shame that pieces of heritage on private land that were not Listed were not safeguarded. 'It would be a great shame if such a wonderful mine captain's house was to be pulled down,' she said. The applicants' agents Bailey Partnership were unavailable for comment. The planning application for the Glendorgals site will be considered by Caradon's planning committee in the New Year.