An announcement on the beaches' status will be made in the New Year

The �200m holiday development of the bay near St Austell has been delayed pending the results of an inquiry.

Pressure group Carlyon Bay Watch says more of the beach has been lost than was originally approved.

The developers of the luxury apartments disagree and still hope to continue the work early in the New Year.

Tim Carter of Ampersand said: "The sea wall is largely in the same position as planning consent, but there are a couple of locations where we have moved the promontories forward to enable us to get access to the beach for disabled people."

Worried locals

Work on The Beach complex at Carlyon Bay is already under way.

Planning permission to build 511 holiday homes at Carlyon Bay was granted in 1991 and renewed in 1996, and this remains valid.

But locals worried about the affect on the environment won a public inquiry to consider whether three beaches in the bay should get village green status.

The inquiry is taking place at St Blazey Football Club. A decision is expected in the New Year.

Ampersand has already withdrawn applications to demolish the Cornwall Coliseum and allow year-round occupancy of the flats after protests.