THE OWNERS of a property which was denied planning permission for two summer houses have filed an appeal to overturn the decision.

Mr and Mrs Roose, of Penhallow, Four Winds, near Blisland, applied to Cornwall Council’s planning department in 2023 to change the use of some of their agricultural land to residential, with the aim of constructing two summerhouses within the extended grounds of their property.

They sought to build the two summerhouses on the northern side of their land, behind their 1990’s-built property, as they argued that the only usable amenity on the southern side was directly facing the A30 and therefore disrupted by the sound of traffic.

At the time of refusing the planning application, Cornwall Council told the applicants: “The proposals for the retention of the existing encroachment of garden land construction of two summerhouses will result in an adverse impact on the landscape character and natural beauty of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by eroding its intrinsic undeveloped and rural landscape character through the domestication of the land.”

The response of the case officer was criticised in the applicant’s response, stating: “In terms of the ‘exasperating’ impact raised by the Case Officer, due to the lack of boundary treatment they highlight, this can easily be provided and would be the type of detail typically covered by a soft/hard landscaping scheme condition (a point already referred to in this statement).

“The Appellant is not entirely sure whether the Planning Officer is ‘exasperated’ by the scheme before them (dictionary meaning irritated, frustrate or annoy), perhaps they were having a bad day in the Office or maybe they were meant to suggest the scheme ‘exacerbates’ a perceived negative impact?”

As well as inviting the inspector to view the property, the applicants detailed the reasons why they appeal the refusal was incorrect. They said: “The Appellant appreciates that the site is just within the boundary of the Cornwall AONB. However, given the appeal site is dominated by the A30 dual carriageway the context of the site has significantly changed since the AONB designation in the late 1950s and the construction of the new road in 2017.

“The proposed garden extension and two summer house structures are well screened from public viewpoints and users of the adjacent A30 speed along near the site at close to 70 mph to the point the property at Penhallow is barely distinguishable as one concentrates on the road whilst travelling.

“The social benefits of enabling the family to have a usable external amenity space far outweighs any environmental harm arising from these proposals.

“The appeal proposal would not generate any overriding harm to the Cornwall AONB designation and with respect the Inspector is requested to allow this appeal.”