ANGRY locals claim their sleepy village is being ruined by screaming kids playing on a 145metre eyesore waterslide.
The Kernow Slide, in , is due to reopen next month despite outrage among the neighbouring residents.
One couple, John and Brenda Smith, who live less than half-a-mile from the controversial attraction say the noise is blighting their lives.
Retired John, 76, told : “When the waterslide was in operation last year the sound of screaming children was everywhere.
“And not only that but the narrow lanes around here were overwhelmed by driving without giving consideration to other road users.”;
And, scaffolding erected in a field next to the hamlet of Little Downs, near Bodmin, has also sparked outrage.
John added: “This is completely the wrong location for such an activity.
“This area is renowned for being peaceful, is on a narrow road with the attraction's entrance on a dangerous bend and that Kernow Slide's owner is being inconsiderate to local residents.”
His wife, Brenda, 86, said locals banded together to oppose the waterslide on the grounds of noise and.
Disgruntled residents also claimed the operator had flouted planning rules.
She said: “If any of us had ridden roughshod over the planning rules we would be in big trouble, but he has continually refused to abide by the rules that the rest of us have to live by.
“We strongly believe it's in the wrong place, on a road which is part of Cornwall Council's Active Travel ‘Quiet Lanes' network.
“Cardinham Parish Council has unanimously objected to the plans twice.”;
The residents' group said screaming children on the slides destroyed the quiet idyll of the countryside.
An elderly resident, who didn’t want to be named, added: “The last day of it operating last year was horrendous.
“We opened all our windows and doors because it was lovely , and I sat doing my jigsaw and I thought, ‘I can't stick this noise – all the shouting and screaming and that'.
“We had to close everything up.”
North Cornwall Councillor Jennifer Cruse is also concerned that the operator has not taken local concern on board.
Councillor Jenny Cruse, a candidate for the Cornwall Council elections who is currently the local member, said she was not against the slip and slide – but its location.
She added the harm to a neighbouring caravan site business was “considerable” and the effect on the character of the surrounding area is “very harmful because Cardinham is a place people come for peace and quiet”.
She added: “I am definitely not against young people starting businesses but this venture is not sustainable and is in the wrong place.
“We encourage , we encourage young people to open businesses, but this is actually harmful.
“The benefits to the tourist economy from the scheme do not outweigh the harm caused through the unsustainability of the location together with the adverse impact upon the rural character and appearance of the area which is within an Area of Great Landscape Value through the introduction of an incongruous man-made structure and erosion of the tranquillity of the landscape.
“A slip and slide, as lovely as it may be by Bude, or wherever, isn't sustainable here.
“The road hasn't been taken as an issue but it is very narrow and the access to the attraction is bang on a dangerous corner, where there have been accidents.”;
FIERCE SLIDE FIGHT
But Mr Lance, who set up Kernow Slide, hit back: “Planning is an ongoing process and Kernow Slide is taking the opportunity to appeal the planning refusal with the legislated timescales.
“Our planning consultant is in regular contact with Cornwall Council's planning team, and we are following the process.
“In their professional assessment, the local highway authority raised no objections to the safety of the access into the site or to the suitability of roads serving the site; the application was not refused on highway safety grounds.
“The only thing that has made access harder is a local resident regularly removing directional arrow signs along the road.
“There is access to footpaths/cycle trails just around the corner linking to Cardinham Woods.
“From Cardinham Woods it's a 1.9 mile walk or an 18-minute cycle to Kernow Slide; this route is largely off road.
“I have arrangements in place for anyone wishing to travel by public transport, details are on the website.
“We can arrange a taxi to meet guests at the closest bus stop or train station.
“The site is well related to other attractions around Bodmin and there is also strong local support.”
He added: “Kernow Slide employs 20+ people from the local area, mostly students between college/university terms.
“It's a fantastic opportunity for them to earn over the summer and gain valuable work experience. Kernow Slide also uses the services of several local companies.”
Cornwall Council planning department refused permission for the slide, which is operated by James Lance, on February 24.
A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “Following the refusal the enforcement team have re-opened an enforcement investigation case and have been monitoring the situation and have recently been in contact with the operators.
“Our investigations are ongoing and any work carried out without planning permission is at the operator's own risk.
“The council will consider the appropriate course of action at the conclusion of our investigation which we are undertaking without delay but within the requirements of the legislation set out in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.”
