A row has broken out between two Cornish businesses over a car park planning application slammed as "unnecessary." A popular public garden came under fire from a nearby farm shop after it submitted plans for a 241-space parking zone on an Area Of Natural Beauty (AONB).

The Lost Gardens of Heligan's application followed a proposal from Lobbs Family Farm Shop to begin charging the gardens' customers who park on its fields. Both parties told the Local Democracy Reporting service they were unable to come to an agreement. A spokesperson for The Lost Gardens of Heligan said: "Their plan to introduce payment machines has led us to investigate increasing and improved Heligan managed parking capacity, including EV charging."

The Lobb family deemed the plans "unnecessary," highlighting a "lack of maintenance" from Heligans over the past 20 years.

It said: "The car park agreement that was initiated over 25 years ago expired in 2023. A lack of maintenance in the field car park during the last 20 years of the lease with Heligan has led us to instigate changes.

"Ample, discreet parking with safe level access to the gardens already exists outside the AONB and this has served visitors for years."

The Lost Gardens of Heligan spokesperson confirmed in April the car park would be within the Heligan complex on Island Field, which the Lobb family highlighted is an AONB.

Plans also include electric charging points, which it said would help meet the government's low-carbon objectives.

The Lobb Family Farm parking charges are set to begin on Tuesday, May 6.

The first hour of parking will be free, up to two hours will cost £2.50, and an all-day pass until 6:30pm will cost £3.50. Evening visitors will be charged £2.50 from 3:30pm until 11:00pm.