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.

Up to nine new dwellings could be built near to Bude if a planning application to Cornwall Council was successful.

In an application for a rural exception site, an application for the construction of the dwellings with some matters reserved, namely appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for the nine affordable dwellings at Park Farm, Hobbacott Lane, Marhamchurch, Bude.

The site as it presently stands is described as thus: “The application site is currently an enclosed parcel of agricultural land to the immediate west of the range of farm buildings at Park Farm. Existing residential development adjoins the south and west sides of the site. As a result, the site is enclosed on three sides, with the remaining north boundary being defined by an established hedge bank.

“Marhamchurch is a sizeable settlement with various facilities and services including a primary school, public house and village shop. All are within safe walking distance from the site as are bus stops, including routes direct to Bude.

“The site is not located within any designated or locally defined landscape. It does not lie in any Flood Zones or Critical Drainage Areas as defined by the Environment Agency.”

Marhamchurch Parish Council listed an objection to the proposals, stating: “A proposal was made to object to the planning application due to concerns over access, over development of area and flooding issues. Three in favour, two objected and one abstained.”

Two objections were also received by members of the public in reference to the application, which is still under consideration by Cornwall Council’s planning department.

More details can be obtained under the reference PA24/02719.

Plans for the demolition of a dwelling with the construction of two replacement dwellings in its place have been refused by Cornwall Council’s planning department.

An application in principle for the demolition of an existing dwellinghouse and the construction of two in its place at Long Meadows, Constantine Bay, Padstow.

It was the resubmission of a previously rejected application, with the only addition being a letter from a firm of solicitors stating a differing legal opinion as to why in their view the refusal should be overturned.

The existing dwelling was given permission in 2006 on the grounds it would remain an affordable dwelling in perpetuity, with an attempt to reverse the affordable designation of the property in 2021 rejected. The condition was stipulated on the grounds that permission to build a dwelling in the location would not otherwise be granted.

Cornwall Council refused the application on the grounds of it resulting in a loss of an affordable dwelling in an area of high need, stating: “The proposal will result in the loss of an affordable dwelling in a location with a high local need for affordable homes, the harm of which is not outweighed through the construction of two open market dwellings.

“The proposal is not considered to amount to sustainable development against the policies of the development plan when read as a whole particularly in respect to the conflict with policy nine of the Cornwall Local Plan Strategic Policies 2010-2030.”

More details can be obtained under the reference PA24/03916.

Plans for the demolition of a ‘derelict bungalow’ and its replacement comprising of three dwellings on land near Wadebridge has been submitted to Cornwall Council.

A proposal has been submitted to replace a derelict bungalow with three new houses at Nares Gladley, Wadebridge. The development is proposed as an addition to a previously approved development of four homes on land south of Ball Cottages.

In the application, the applicant told the authority’s planning department: “This aims to provide suitable accommodation for contemporary living, designed with high quality materials & finishes and an emphasis on sustainable design. The development is proposed as an addition to a previously approved development of 4 dwelling houses at the land south of Ball Cottages.”

“The proposed replacement dwelling will result in a significant enhancement to the street in design terms, with the resulting 2 storey dwelling fitting in well in an established building line, sitting further forward that the current bungalow, between the cottages to the east and a garage to the west. The chosen design uses traditional materials of stone and timber, while showing suitable innovation, respecting the local vernacular that is evident on surrounding buildings.

“Although the replacement dwelling will be further forward on the plot than the existing bungalow, and therefore will be more prominent, this is considered appropriate by virtue of the strong design and form reflecting traditional architecture, and the fact that the building will be in line with Ball cottages and the neighbouring garage to the west. This garage currently helps to screen the existing bungalow on the site and will continue to screen much of the new dwelling from the west.”

More details can be obtained under the reference PA24/05448.

A change of use application for land from agriculture to a residential garden with ancillary buildings on land at Candle Cottage, Tregeare, Launceston has been refused by Cornwall Council.

Refusing the application, Cornwall Council told the applicant: “Given the foregoing, and in consideration of all the available evidence, it is concluded that the applicant has been unable to discharge their responsibility under the balance of probability test to demonstrate that (a) a material change of use of the land has actually occurred and (b) if it has, that such a material change of use has been continuous for the requisite ten-year period.

“Accordingly, it is concluded that the applicant's claim is not proven and the material change of use of land is not considered to be lawful by virtue of immunity from enforcement action in accordance with Section 171B(3) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) and in this instance the Lawful Development Certificate is refused.”

More details can be obtained under the reference PA24/04036.

Keep in touch with the latest planning applications and other statutory notices (such as alcohol licensing and probates) that affect where you live by visiting our online Public Notice Portal – be the first to know by visiting www.publicnoticeportal.uk/cornish-and-devon-post-series