An artist's impression of what the St Mellion International might look like

Around �100m of private investment is being ploughed into the project.

"Securing a contract to bring European Tour golf to St Mellion would be very exciting," said Barrie Aspinall, project manager for the Saltash course.

St Mellion hosted the Benson and Hedges International Open from 1990 to 1995 but has since only held seniors events.

Among the plans are a new 80 bedroom hotel, upgraded golf courses and clubhouse and 265 golf homes.

Outline permission for the development was agreed before Christmas on condition that the scheme protected local wildlife, had a travel plan and made financial contributions to community projects.

The resort will give �220,000 to local highways projects and �200,000 to local employment initiatives over the next five years.

"We have been working very hard to make sure that our plans meet the requirements specified and look forward to continuing to build relationships with local residents so that they are kept fully informed about all that is happening," said Aspinall.

"This is a hugely important scheme � not only for the St Mellion resort but for the local community, Cornwall, Devon and the South West region as a whole," he added.