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.
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.
Plans for nine houses near Bude
PROPOSALS seeking planning permission in principle for the construction of nine properties on land adjacent to Maer Lane in Bude have been submitted to Cornwall Council.
A permission in principle is a type of planning application where the applicant is seeking the district council’s approval for the principle that dwellings could be built on the land.
It is not in itself a full planning application but rather more similar to the council whether it considers that the idea of up to four dwellings on the land is acceptable.
If granted, it would then be on the developer or whoever owns the land at a future date to submit an application for plans for a development which is up to the number of properties being asked for.
The application has been made by Mr C Trewin for the land known as Land North Of Lake View Drive Lake View Drive Bude.
In a planning statement accompanying the plans, the applicant said: “This Planning Statement has been prepared in support of a Permission in Principle (PIP) application for the development of up to nine dwellings on land at Maer, Bude, Cornwall. The application is subject to the policies outlined in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (December 2024) and the Cornwall Local Plan.
“Cornwall Council is unable to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, and in line with paragraph 11 of the NPPF, there is a presumption in favour of sustainable development. The principle of residential development on this site should therefore be considered positively, with regard to the specific policies that apply to sustainable settlements.
“The site is well located on the edge of Bude, offering excellent connectivity to the town centre and essential services. The following factors support the site's sustainability.
“Proximity to Local Services – The site is within walking distance of Bude town centre, providing easy access to shops, healthcare, education, and leisure facilities.
“Sustainable Transport Links – Maer Lane is an unadopted road with public vehicular access and a designated PROW (footpath), ensuring safe pedestrian and vehicular connections to the town and local transport networks. The proposal will ensure that appropriate access arrangements are made to accommodate residential use while maintaining the integrity of the existing transport routes.
“Access to Public Transport – The site has good access to the bus network, enabling connectivity to surrounding areas and reducing dependency on private vehicles.
“Leisure & Recreation – The site is near beaches and leisure facilities, supporting active and healthy lifestyles.
“Flood risk: The site is in Flood Zone 1 (low risk) and Flexbury Critical Drainage Area. The development will have to play its part in reducing current rainfall runoff rates and although this will be dealt with in later planning stages, surface water drainage hierarchy will be followed by using infiltration as far as is practicable.
“The proposal aligns with the NPPF’s emphasis on sustainable growth by making efficient use of a well-located site that benefits from existing infrastructure and public services.
“This PIP application seeks permission for up to nine dwellings at Maer, Bude, Cornwall, in a policy context where the presumption in favour of sustainable development applies. The proposal aligns with the NPPF, which supports residential development in sustainable locations that have good access to services and transport networks.
“The presence of a PROW adjacent to the site ensures safe pedestrian connections to Bude town centre, while Maer Lane provides suitable vehicular access. The site is well located, with strong connections to the town, public transport, beaches, and leisure facilities, making it an ideal location for new residential development.
“Given its sustainability, accessibility, and contribution to local housing supply, the proposal should be considered favourably in accordance with national planning policy.”
Plan for static and lodge caravans
Bodmin Holiday Park at Lanivet has applied to site 118 static and lodge caravans, together with associated infrastructure and landscaping, at the facility. It was formerly known as Waterside Holiday Park before being bought and rebranded by Park Holidays UK Limited in 2022.
The park provides a selection of tourism-based facilities including an indoor swimming pool, bar and restaurant, children’s play park, gym, tennis court, foot golf and three acres of well stocked fishing lakes, as well as holiday lodge accommodation; with planning permission for further development.
The proposal would cover an area of 19.3 hectares (47.6 acres) on a site, which is based upon a previously approved scheme. The development now only involves the provision of holiday caravan accommodation and excludes additional elements which were previously approved such as the extension to the existing leisure building, a ten-bedroom hotel and spa, and new buildings with facilities.
Instead, the application site now includes additional areas of open space for recreational, amenity and biodiversity purposes, with the current central clubhouse/facilities to be retained and maintained in their current form.
Up to five new homes near Launceston
An application for permission in principle for a proposed residential development of up to five homes on land west of South Petherwin CP School, near Launceston, has been submitted.
Cornwall Council’s Education and Early Years Service has asked for a contribution to mitigate the impact on additional school places at the primary school of £2,736 per qualifying property.
The request comes due to the school being over-subscribed with places, currently running at 111 per cent of capacity.
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