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.

SWATHES of objections from the Bude community have been submitted in response to the proposal of the expansion of a holiday park.

Seasons Holidays PLC applied for a large expansion of their site at Burn Park Country Club, Stratton, Bude.

It has applied to Cornwall Council seeking a phased hybrid application for siting of up to 140 units of holiday accommodation (under the Caravan Act 1968) including development of bases, decking, landscaping, highways and associated infrastructure work with plots B, C and D in full and plots E, F, G and H and the Public Open Space in outline with all matters reserved apart from access.

However, these plans have been met with outrage and objections from the local community, who have rejected the proposals.

Out of 154 residents who had responded to the consultation by September 19, 153 stated objections with only one response in favour of the plans.

Among those objections were statements on behalf of Stratton Primary School’s governors, business owners in the town and Bude and North Cornwall Golf Club. A vast majority of the objections concerned a perceived over development of the town in favour of tourism amenity, of which they believed there were plenty, the loss of green space and the natural buffer between adjacent settlements and the impact it could have on what they feel are ‘overstretched services’.

One of the most vociferous of the criticisms came from the town council whose parishes it would sit in. In their objections to the proposal, Bude-Stratton Town Council said: “BSTC have a strong objection to this application. BSTC has supported this business in past applications but feel this application is not sustainable for Bude/Stratton. The objections are as follows:

“Overdevelopment of the site ' causing coalescence of the historic settlements of Poughill, Flexbury, Stratton and Bude (in direct contravention with Bude-Stratton NDP Policy 3c). This is the only open green corridor between the hinterland and the coast and should be protected.

“In contravention of NDP Policy 13 ' the development fails to demonstrate a long-term commitment to sustainability through energy efficiency, water use, waste minimisation and sustainable transport.

“The proposed 'lodges' contravene many of Cornwall Council's own policies(including CE DPD Sec1 Materials and Waste) non-recyclable units with a lifespan of 30 years should not be permitted placement amidst and 'ecological crisis'

“Contravention of CE DPD Policy CC3 ' reduction of flood risk ' cumulative flood risk to wider catchment and shallow groundwater levels. Insufficient evidence of ongoing maintenance to sustainable drainage system ' in contravention with CE DPD Policy CC4 ' sustainable drainage system design. BSTC question the validity of FRA flood risk assessment.

“CE DPD Policy 1 ' climate change principles Light Noise and Pollution concerns and there are concerns about lack of field archaeology and the potential for destruction of historic artifacts.

“Elements of the original planning permission (PA21/06815) conditions are not being upheld by the developer regarding the overlooking issue, planting plan, drainage and landscaping. The only access road has not been repaired or upgraded and has no passing points. (There is also a) lack of community engagement with ‘neighbouring properties and Bude Golf Club.

“It will also cause excessive strain on already over stretched health infrastructure and BSTC would request that the developer conduct a thorough Economic Impact Assessment

“It also would be a contravention with NDP Policy 22 ' Open Spaces of Heritage and Recreation Value ' impact on adjacent Bude Golf Club (drainage, flooding, increased use bridle path across golf course). In addition, there is a contravention with NDP Policy 7 ' Transport, the development fails to illustrate how it will avoid excessive (road and parking) congestion or provide sustainable alternatives to high carbon transport within the parish.”

The Town Council also added: “The failure of Cornwall Council to require a full Environmental Impact Assessment would be negating its legal duty as a local authority under both the wildlife and countryside act (1981) and the Environment Act 2021'to conserve protected species and improve biodiversity'.

“BSTC believes that there is a substantial likelihood of severe long term damage to local populations of numerous European protected species present, including Hazel Door mice, amphibians, nesting birds, bats, invertebrates and flora. The preliminary Ecological Assessment lacks the sufficient breadth of mitigation for a site of this scale and local significance. To permit development without more extensive mitigation measures will result in an undeniable and irreplaceable loss of local biodiversity.

“BSTC would question the applicant’s description of the land 'grade' and would argue this would be a loss of high-grade agricultural land. In addition, BSTC wish to see provision for housing need rather than profit over place development that marginalises nature. To suggest that such a scheme can be sustainable is negligent and offensive to those who wish to protect and enhance our unique, historic parish”

A further objection was raised by the Environment Agency amid concerns on flooding. It added: “The applicant can overcome our objection by undertaking an FRA (Flood Risk Assessment) which demonstrates that the development is safe from flooding over its lifetime without increasing risk elsewhere and where possible reduces flood risk overall.

“The FRA should also demonstrate that the proposed development will not adversely impact the watercourses and that access to them for maintenance is still achievable. If this cannot be achieved, we are likely to maintain our objection to the application. Production of an FRA will not in itself result in the removal of an objection.”

The proposals are available to view and comment on the Cornwall Council planning portal under reference PA24/04333.

Planning permission has been sought for a new driveway at a property in Launceston.

The occupants of 6 Trecarrell, Launceston have applied to the local authority seeking permission for the works.

The proposals are available to view and comment on the Cornwall Council planning portal under reference PA24/07034.

Keep up to date 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