Carlyon Baywatch wants the beach designated as a village green

Temporary sea defences have already changed the landscape at Carlyon Bay near St Austell.

But the campaigners say they will ask at the public inquiry in November for everything to stop.

The developers say they have already amended their plans but still intend to build more than 500 apartments.

Ampersand says it has withdrawn applications to demolish the Cornwall Coliseum and allow year-round occupancy of the flats.

Work on the 511 upmarket holiday flats, a hotel and leisure facilities has already begun.

A local environmental pressure group, Carlyon Baywatch, is attempting to have the beach designated as a village green in order to halt the development.

It claims there are legal precedents which have stopped other developments and guaranteed public access.

In evidence to support its case, a 60-signature petition has been submitted by local people attesting to more than 20 years of legal sports and pastimes on the beach.