A farmer has removed iconic grazing ponies from a Cornish beauty spot because he was refused planning permission for a house near the site. After the controversial decision, Cornwall Live readers have been talking about the fairness of the whole situation in our comments section.

Farmer Chris Wilton originally had permission granted in 2020, however, objections led to a judicial review which overturned the decision for him to build a home on the land.. Subsequent reapplications were also rejected, including an appeal to the Government's planning inspectorate.

The ponies, essential for conservation grazing in the protected area, were removed as Mr. Wilton as he felt could not care for them adequately due to the development plans being turned down and not being able to live onsite. The removal of these ponies has raised concerns locally as they played a crucial role in conservation efforts in the designated site of special scientific interest (SSSI) at Rame Head. Read the full story here.

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Reader Kernowlad said: "When I see some of the atrocious monstrosities that have been approved and built on the Cornish coast and are then used solely for second home or holiday use, I think that he may have a genuine grievance at being turned down for a job related application." Commenter Diggory-doo agreed: "Totally agree with you. And the sporadic planning continues. This application is for a genuine reason."

Muswellhillexile said: "The 'genuine reason' is that Mr. Wilton wants to build himself a luxury house in the middle of protected countryside and then retire from farming and enjoy the views from his new home! Where does he live now, as he's obviously 'looked after' the ponies from his current abode?"

Trepolpen added: "Well, if you want an example of 'inconsistent' planning decisions, look no further than Carbis Bay. They just ignored the whole system and built without permission. No consequences at all - just kicked into the long grass."

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Mett commented: "Good on him. There's plenty of ways to build a suitable house for him to live in with the use of covenants. And none of you know the full circumstances, nor do I. But it sounds like a load of nimbys complained, lost something they like, and have now are complaining again. His ball, his rules. Don't like it. Go get your own ball."

BarrySabrewolf wrote: "It seems sad when petty revenge is seen, he is not going to win any votes for being a committed farmer.. it would appear he put the ponies on Rame head for his own long term selfish benefit so he could claim he needed to build a house, he has been refused, he had been granted permission that was revoked by an appeal, he applied again, was refused... it is about time people took a stand against unregulated building plans in unworkable areas."

Triggerandhisdoggo commented: "Are beauty spot ponies so fussy that they can’t live in an ordinary field?"

Gpz900r said: "This farmer comes across as a school kid taking his ball away cos he wasn't picked for the playground football team during dinner break."

Sc-12 said: "Mmm, so he didn't get planning permission so got rid of the ponies. Why couldn't he carry on looking after them? He had been looking after them all these years."

Should the house have gone ahead? Let us know in the comments below or HERE.