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Strategic Planning Committee - Thursday, 17th April, 2025 10.00 am

April 17, 2025 View on council website
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Summary

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


  1. Section 106 agreements are legal agreements between local authorities and developers, used to mitigate the impact of new developments on the community and infrastructure. 

  2. A public inquiry is a formal investigation into a matter of public concern, often involving the examination of evidence and the questioning of witnesses. 

Attendees

Profile image for Phil Seeva
Phil Seeva  Conservative & Independent Conservative Aligned
Profile image for Dulcie Tudor
Dulcie Tudor  Independent
Profile image for Steve Arthur
Steve Arthur  Deputy Group Leader - Non Aligned •  Non-aligned
Profile image for Peter Channon
Peter Channon  Reform UK
Profile image for Nick Craker
Nick Craker  Conservative & Independent Conservative Aligned
Profile image for John Fitter
John Fitter  Independent
Profile image for Peter Guest
Peter Guest  Conservative & Independent Conservative Aligned
Profile image for Andrew Long
Andrew Long  Deputy Group Leader - Mebyon Kernow Group •  Mebyon Kernow
Profile image for Rob Nolan
Rob Nolan  Chairman of the Council •  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for Peter Perry
Peter Perry  Conservative & Independent Conservative Aligned
Angela Saunders
Mark Broomhead
Gavin Smith
Davina Pritchard
Profile image for Adrian Harvey
Adrian Harvey  Non-aligned
Profile image for Lionel Pascoe
Lionel Pascoe  Conservative & Independent Conservative Aligned
Profile image for Matthew Luke
Matthew Luke  Mebyon Kernow/Green Group
Profile image for Anne Double
Anne Double  Conservative & Independent Conservative Aligned
Profile image for Oliver Monk
Oliver Monk  Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing •  Conservative & Independent Conservative Aligned
Profile image for James Mustoe
James Mustoe  Conservative
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