The Strategic Planning Committee of Cornwall Council scheduled a meeting to discuss planning applications for a solar farm, a residential development and an extra care apartment complex, as well as a list of appeals. The meeting was scheduled to take place at the Trelawny Room, County Hall, Truro.

Planning Applications

Land off Menear Road, North of St Austell

The committee was scheduled to discuss a full application, PA23/09532, from Anexco Ltd for the construction of a temporary solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage farm on land off Menear Road, north of St Austell, PL25 3TD. The proposed development included solar modules, battery cabinets, landscaping, and access from the public highway.

The application sought permission for a 40-year operational period. The solar farm was expected to generate enough electricity to power 3,880 homes, while the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) would store and release electricity to aid grid efficiency.

The report pack noted that the application had been called to committee at the request of Matthew Luke CC, the Electoral Division Member, due to concerns including:

• Loss of grade A good agricultural land
• Visual impact on the surrounding countryside and the A391
• Impact on the natural buffer zone
• Flooding issues in the Boscoppa and Tregrehan areas
• Lack of community benefit

The report pack included a recommendation for approval, subject to conditions.

An addendum to the report pack noted that the Tree Officer was satisfied with the additional tree planting proposed, and that the scheme would achieve 23.8% canopy cover, exceeding the 15% requirement set out by policy G3 of the Climate Emergency Development Plan Document.

Land North West Of Angarrack Lane, Connor Downs, Hayle

The committee was scheduled to discuss a reserved matters application, PA24/06664, from Treveth Development LLP for 40 residential units with associated access on land north west of Angarrack Lane, Connor Downs, Hayle, TR27 5JF. The application concerned appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale, following outline consent PA22/05411.

The application had been called to committee at the request of Councillor Lionel Pascoe CC, the Electoral Division Member, due to concerns about:

• Minimum affordable housing provision
• Low number of rented properties in the mix
• Whether open market properties could be guaranteed to be occupied by local people

The report pack included a recommendation for conditional approval.

Laity House, Higher Lux Street, Liskeard

The committee was scheduled to discuss an outline planning application, PA25/01008, from Cornwall Council for the proposed development of 60 extra care apartments (C3) and associated works at Laity House, Higher Lux Street, Liskeard, PL14 3DJ. The application sought outline planning permission with appearance and landscaping as reserved matters.

The application had been called to committee in accordance with Cornwall Council’s constitution, as the application related to Cornwall Council’s own land/development, was being recommended for approval, and had received significant planning objections raising material planning considerations from members of the public.

The report pack included a recommendation that delegated authority be granted to the Chief Planning Officer to grant outline planning permission, subject to planning conditions and the suitable resolution of any issues arising from the impact of the development on trees.

An addendum to the report pack noted that the Tree Officer had recommended refusal of the application due to the loss of, and damage to, trees on the site. The addendum also set out an alternative recommendation, that delegated authority be granted to the Chief Planning Officer to grant outline planning permission, subject to amended conditions relating to tree protection and landscaping, and subject to the entering into of a Section 106 agreement¹ to secure financial contributions towards the provision of affordable housing and to mitigate impacts on European sites.

Appeals

The committee was also scheduled to note a list of appeals decisions received, appeals lodged, and dates of public inquiries.²