Campaigners say a historic Cornish town and nearby castle could be "destroyed forever" by controversial new plans to develop a golf course.

Sir Tim Smit - the millionaire co-founder of the Eden Project - had his initial development scheme in Lostwithiel rejected by council planners last April.

The plans originally included 19 holiday lodges, a café and education centre on the Gillyflower course he owns.

The rejection came after mass backlash from the local community - who submitted 300 objections and organised demonstrations.

But new plans have now been submitted, under Mr Smit's son Alex's name, which still include 19 holiday lodges - sparking more anger.

The application has already received more than 60 public comments online.

And opposition group Stop The GillyFlower Development has said it is now in a "David and Goliath-type battle".

They claim nearby Lostwithiel - dubbed the antiques capital of Cornwall and with a population of 2,900 people - could be harmed if the plans are approved.

A campaign group spokesperson said: "Having already spent most of last year using their spare time and energy in successfully battling to protect their green valley from Tim Smit’s commercial exploitation, for the enjoyment of future generations, Lostwithiel folk have shown they have the stomach for a David and Goliath-type battle.

"However, this ‘giant’ has a disproportionate amount of political and financial clout and this time residents are looking for financial help, aiming to crowdfund for a legal defence.

"If approved, this proposal would cause as much harm to the heritage landscape, natural environment and thriving town centre - but with even fewer ‘public benefits’ being touted. 

"This application is not claiming to be anything more than a private golf and holiday accommodation business."

The original plan was refused in April 2022 as the benefits did not outweigh the "identified harm", Cornwall Council said.

Council planners also claimed the development would harm the landscape and historic assets, including Restormel Castle, a Civil War battlefield.

The newest plan, submitted in March this year still includes 19 holiday lets - which are now to be part of an "aparthotel"- and a classroom.

Locals are concerned that the clubhouse addition would dwarf the nearby castle, a major local tourist attraction.

Campaigners are now crowdfunding to pay for expert legal advice to fight the latest application.

The campaign group spokesperson added: "The residents, although ‘experts’ in our community, are not planning experts. It is hoped that if we all pull together, we might be able to benefit from the support of professionals who are

"Raising £1,500 would pay for initial legal advice; £5,000 would fund an expert in transport/sustainability, landscape or heritage, £8,000 would pay for two and £12,500 will enable us to employ all three.

“We know everyone - well, almost everyone - is feeling the pinch at the moment but this is a once-in-a-lifetime challenge and we have to meet it head-on.

“If we don’t act now, our town’s irreplaceable heritage and landscape could be destroyed forever - and a dangerous precedent set in Lostwithiel would threaten the integrity of the Neighbourhood Development Plans in equally vulnerable communities all over Cornwall."

A planning statement, on behalf of Alex Smit, Sir Tim's son, states: "The proposal would introduce 19 holiday lodges (referred to as ‘Drums’) which would be part of an aparthotel facility (fully serviced apartments, falling within Class C1) to be managed by the Clubhouse and complement the golf course, and would benefit from the wider fruit orchards and new landscaping located both on and off the golf course. 

"By providing accommodation, further benefit will be derived for Lostwithiel as guests would spend money in the town. The scheme includes appropriate access and parking arrangements to service the site.

"The planning context and history of the site includes an application in early 2021 for a different and much larger proposal. 

"That proposal included a large ‘Hub’ building which included exhibition, teaching and demonstration spaces, a market area, a café/restaurant with associated kitchen cookery school and tasting kitchen, as well as a microbrewery, distillery, cider and fruit presses."

It added: "Given the refusal basis, the present proposal has a substantially reduced built form and the main ‘Hub’ building has been removed, with a more modest and sensitively designed Clubhouse included to serve the golf course (which currently has no permanent facilities)."

Tim Smit, who is Dutch-British, is a prominent figure in Cornwall, having helped to found the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan.