CDP planning 15.04

EACH week, hundreds of planning applications come before Cornwall Council’s planning department, seeking to win approval for various plans right across the Duchy, with some concerning Holsworthy handled by Torridge District Council.

These plans can comprise of a number of different reasonings– ranging from permission to replace windows or listed building consent ranging up to large house building developments or changing of use of a building, for instance, from an office to a café, or flats.

Within this large and often complex system, there are a number of formats from which planning advice and approval can be sought.

These range from full applications where all the details which comprise a proposed development or work to a building are submitted, to outline applications, where further details are yet to be confirmed, for example, an outline application with reserved matters for appearance may not confirm the final proposed development but rather seek permission in principle.

An example of this is one for an outline permission for 20 dwellings on land with reserved matters for appearance and scale; the reserved matters would require further permission later for their inclusion.

Other types of applications include pre-application advice requests, where would-be developers submit often outline proposals to a local authority to ascertain whether it is likely to gain support or not prior to submitting a planning application.

The vast majority of applications are decided by planning officers employed by a local authority under ‘delegated powers’, meaning they do so on behalf of their employer, however, some applications are ‘called in’ by local councillors to be discussed at an area’s strategic planning committee meeting, meaning the final decision rests with a committee of councillors.

PA21/03580: An application to convert disused buildings into dwellings has been refused amid concern that the odour of a nearby agricultural building in different ownership would cause.

The application to renovate, convert and re-use redundant agricultural outbuildings into four dwellings at Higher Hill Farm, Venn Lane, Cardinham, Bodmin was made by Mr and Mrs Mayman.

33 objections to the proposals were received by Cornwall Council, with seven statements of support.

Cardinham Parish Council were also among the objectors, with their objections stating concerns related to the impact of the plans on the workings of the neighbouring farm.

They said: “The Cardinham Parish Council is considering this application for the third time, having previously objected twice.

Several changes have been made to the application since May 2022, when this application was last consulted on, as follows: Change of use of Top Barn to a Garage/Store with bat roost above.

“The possible installation of alternative ventilation in the proposed dwellings to allow residents to retreat indoors when smell/noise outdoors becomes too overpowering, windows and doors to be closed and the alternative ventilation system switched on and the proposed installation of a passing place on the lane by Highways.

“The Parish Council wishes to object again on the following grounds, and would like the Parish Council's previous reasons for objections from May 2021 and April 2022 to be considered as well:

“Existing business: The neighbouring working farm is an existing, long standing, local, family farming business. Therefore, care should be taken that any proposed development at Higher Hill farm does not adversely affect this existing business. If there is a likelihood that complaints will arise due to having a residential development adjacent to the farm where noise, toxic fumes and smells from the farm can impact the residents then this development should be refused.

“Safety Aspect/Hazardous fumes: The Parish Council suggests that Cornwall Council's Environmental Protection Officer should attend to see how close the proposed dwellings are to the slurry pits. The Parish Council further suggests that the officer take noise and smell samples, as well as sampling for Hydrogen Sulphide (an odourless, toxic gas that arises when agitating slurry) at the site to check for the well-being, health and safety of future residents. A meter reading would be helpful. When the slurry pit is being agitated, no one can be near it for at least 30 minutes because the odourless toxic gas released from it can be fatal, with collapse and death occurring after only a few breaths. Levels of the toxic gas rise as soon as mixing starts and rise each time the pump is repositioned to mix another part of the tank (As stated on the NFU website where it warns of the dangers of Hydrogen sulphide)

“Slurry pits not shown on plans. It is noted that the slurry pits, which are situated within a few metres of the proposed development are not marked on the plans. The smell and toxic fumes from these are of great concern and these should be visible on the plans so that it is clear how close to the proposed development they are.

“Timing of readings. The applicant's agent took readings for the reports, but the neighbours have said that they were not consulted about the timing of the readings which would have ensured they were taken at a time when smells/noise were at a level that was representative of the year.

“Contaminated land on site. Contaminated land has been found on the site which is of concern ' again we would request Cornwall Council's Environmental Protection officer report back on these findings.

Other objections from the council included transport, access and safety, the number of proposed dwellings and the proximity to a slurry pit, unsustainability given its remote location,

Refusing the application, Cornwall Council said: “The proposed development is considered to result in an adverse impact on the residential amenities of future occupants by means of noise and odour, due to the proximity of an unrestricted agricultural building within separate ownership that is located immediately adjoining the application site to the south. In the absence of any suitable or effective mitigation measures the proposed dwellings will be subject to adverse living conditions contrary to policies 12, 13 and 16 of the Cornwall Local Plan Strategic Policies 2010-2030 and paras 135 and 191 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2023.”

PA24/02688: PLANS for the extension of a pasty factory in Bude have been submitted to Cornwall Council.

Polmorla Pasties have submitted an application to the local authority seeking to extend their factory in order to build a new crimping room at 6D Kings Hill Industrial Estate Bude.

The new extension, if planned would add 100 square metres of floor space to the factory, which currently comprises 281 square metres.

Two LPG tanks would be repositioned with a new brickwall fire bund formed and protected with bollards, to enable the extension to the building, currently comprising of four linked industrial units.

Unit 6B at the industrial complex represents a café and bakery with units 6C and 6D comprising baking and crimping rooms.

In plans submitted to Cornwall Council, the diagrams detail that the proposed new crimping room would be built using a steel frame and cladding to a specialist fabricator design and detail.

The proposals are currently being considered by Cornwall Council.

PA24/00504/PREAPP: Pre-application advice is being sought for the proposed construction of new semi-detached houses on land northeast of the Old School on School Hill, St Neot, on the edge of Bodmin Moor. A similar plan for two semi-detached houses on the site was withdrawn earlier this year.

PA24/02766: Mr C and A Key have applied to convert an old coastguard building on Boscastle harbour into a deli and takeaway selling locally caught seafood, reared farm produce, sandwiches and other food.

The existing building was constructed as a garage and lock-up by the National Trust. It has since been used by the Coastguard Agency as a store housing life-saving equipment.