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.

A retrospective planning application has been received to allow a campsite with access, parking, landscaping and associated facilities buildings on land at Vell Lane, Delabole.

The proposal seeks to regularise activity that has been taking place in the past year at family-run Blackthorn Camping and obtain planning permission for six caravan pitches and associated structures including showers, toilets and washing up enclosure. The campsite is an eight-minute walk from the centre of Delabole.

The applicants told Cornwall Council: “The application site is located in the village of Delabole and covers approximately 1.09 hectares. The site is accessed off an unnamed road which runs to southwestern edge of the site. The campsite is approximately an 8 min walk to the centre of Delabole and its associated amenities. As well as great access to Delabole there are dedicated bus stops located on the B3314 which provide daily services to Bodmin, Wadebridge and smaller villages and settlements in the locality.

“The site is within walking distance to bus stops which provide good transport links to the wider area including Bodmin and Wadebridge.

“This proposal seeks to regularise the activity that has been taking place in the past year and obtain planning permission for six caravan pitches and associated structures showers, toilets and washing up enclosure.”

In its consultation response, the Public Protection Contaminated Land Planning Consultations office for Cornwall Council wrote: “The report appears to conclude a low risk from land contamination; however, the assessment has been carried out in line with a commercial end use. There are currently no restrictions on the length of time someone could stay in the caravans on site. Therefore, the scenario of domestic with plant uptake should have been selected. The current Phase 1 should be revised to cover this scenario. We are currently unable to support the application, please reconsult us once further information has been submitted.”

Mineral Policy Consultations was asked to take a look at the plans owing to its proximity to the world-renowned Delabole Slate Quarry.

In its consultation response, a representative wrote: “The National Planning Policy Framework states that known locations of specific mineral resources of local and national importance are not needlessly sterilised by non-mineral development.

“Mineral Safeguarding Areas are subject to Policy MS1 of the Cornwall Minerals Safeguarding Development Plan Document 2018.

“The proposed development falls within a Mineral Safeguarding Area, which has been designated around Delabole Slate Quarry. The quarry has extant planning permission for the extraction of minerals and associated works. However, I do not consider that the proposed development conflicts with policy MS1 of the DPD.”

“A Public Rights of Way runs immediately adjacent to the site and this network connects to several paths along the North coast with connections to Tintagel and other surrounding areas. As such, the site is considered to be a sustainable location allowing access to the wider facilities.”

The application, which is being considered by Cornwall Council, can be viewed on the Cornwall Council planning portal under reference PA24/08088.

PROPOSALS for the construction of 100 homes on land in Launceston has been submitted to Cornwall Council for feedback.

A pre-application advice enquiry has been submitted to Cornwall Council’s planning department seeking their advice on the potential for the construction of 100 properties on land to the southwest of Kestle Close, Launceston.

The pre-application advice enquiry has been submitted by planning agents Oneleven Property Ltd on behalf of the landowner, Mr D Perry.

If the plans progress to a full planning application, it is proposed that all of the properties on the 3.7 hectare site would be priced as ‘affordable’ homes, meaning they are sold and rented at a lower than market value, typically 20 per cent cheaper. Affordable homes are sometimes known as ‘intermediate’ homes for their pricing sits between ‘social homes’, often provided by local authorities or housing associations (better known as council houses), and ‘open market’ properties where there is no discount on the ‘market rate’.

The majority of schemes approved have to have an element of housing for affordable purchase or rent, typically around 30 per cent, although this development, according to its developers would solely comprise of affordable housing.

The planning agent for the developer told Cornwall Council: “The site comprises two separate fields, delineated by hedgerows totalling approximately 3.7 hectares. The land is located to the west of Launceston and directly to the north of the recent housing development at Chapel Gate. The EA’s online flood map for planning confirms that the site is located within flood zone 1. The site is located outside the settlement boundary of Launceston where, according to the Cornwall Local Plan, the delivery of 1,800 dwellings is targeted.

“The attached layout plan illustrates how a development of 100 new homes could be accommodated on site. Vehicular, cycle and pedestrian access would be provided at the eastern boundary via Long Meadow. An area of public open space is provided in the southwest corner of the site.

“Existing hedgerows bordering the site would be retained although some loss would occur to link the two existing fields. Following initial discussions with Richard Hawkey, the Council’s Principal Affordable Housing Officer, the intention is to provide all of the new homes (100 per cent) as affordable housing to meet the needs of the area.

“We therefore presume that the scheme will be considered under policy nine of the Cornwall Plan and that the principle of development will be accepted particularly as Launceston is treated as a smaller town. However, we seek confirmation of this through the pre-application advice enquiry.”

Cornwall Council’s planning department will respond to Mr Parry with their views on his proposals, the likelihood of them winning approval if submitted as-is or what may need doing for the plans to be considered.

The proposals can be viewed on the Cornwall Council planning portal under reference PA24/01400/PREAPP.

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