CONCERNED residents at Harrowbarrow claim that wildlife habitats at a local mine site which is the subject of a regeneration project are being destroyed for 'meagre benefits'. But project leaders Cornwall County Council says clearance work needs to be carried out so the Prince of Wales Mine buildings can be stabilised as they are in an imminent state of collapse. The works form part of the £2.1 million East Cornwall Regeneration project, which involves conserving the archaeological sites and improving access, following the granting of World Heritage status for Cornwall and West Devon's mining landscape. Nearby resident and nature lover Alan Parsley said the ivy and undergrowth at the Prince of Wales Mine was home to an abundance of wildlife and such undisturbed wildlife habitats were very rare. 'I've observed a vixen and her two cubs, badgers and deer, grass-snakes and numerous butterflies and moths,' he said. 'There are other mine sites that are more accessible and standing only in heather-clad land. 'We would gain stark bare walls of mine buildings and stacks packed with mortar but we would lose all the natural flora and fauna.' Simon Maclennan, who also lives near the site, said: 'The disturbance of wildlife would be excessive for meagre benefits. That site has reverted to nature over many, many years — any disturbance now would be highly detrimental.' He said the county had 'driven a horse and cart' through the democratic process by giving permission for the clearance work to be done before a consultative meeting with residents earlier this month. He also raised fears that illegal motorcycle scrambling, which was a problem in the past, could start again if access was improved at the site. These concerns were expressed to members of Calstock Parish Council last week, which said they would be monitoring work carried out at the site. Although they were unhappy they had not been informed about the public meeting, members felt disturbance to wildlife from clearance work at this stage would be minimal and they backed stabilising and preserving the buildings. Project manager for the East Cornwall Regeneration Project Chris Hariades said he understood some people were against anything being done on the site but he had made it clear that preliminary clearance work was being carried out to conduct a survey on the buildings. 'We will come back with detailed proposals in March,' he said. 'The buildings are in an imminent state of collapse. In ten to 15 years time there will be very little left and when they fall, the ivy will be brought down as well.' Mr Hariades said two metres of brick work fell from one of the chimneys in the recent gales. 'There will be some limited adverse effect on the habitat but the majority of the site of the site will be left as a wildlife area,' he said.
