The West Sub-Area Planning Committee met to discuss three planning applications, ultimately approving one with delegated powers, refusing another, and deferring a decision on the third. The committee also noted a list of planning appeal decisions.

Extra Care Apartments in Heamoor

A decision on outline planning permission for the proposed development of up to 72 extra care apartments (C3) and associated works at the John Daniels Adult Training Centre on Roscadghill Road, Heamoor was deferred.

The application, submitted by Cornwall Council, is for outline planning permission, with access, with appearance, landscaping, layout and scale all listed as reserved matters¹. The addendum stated that the proposal complied with both the local plan and the neighbourhood development plan.

Objectors, including a Mrs Dyer and Councillor Reynolds of Penzance Town Council, voiced concerns that the public consultation had misrepresented the project as 100% affordable housing, while the application only proposed 30%. Councillor Andrew George, Electoral Division Member, echoed these concerns, stating that there had been a misrepresentation during the public consultation, as people were led to believe that 100%of the accommodation on the site would be affordable. Councillor Tim Dwelly, adjacent Electoral Division Member, also raised concerns that the development would be 70% market value, not 100% affordable, and that it should be restricted to local need, which it currently was not.

Supporters, including a Mrs Heydon and a Mrs Keast, spoke in favour of the application.

The committee debated the merits of the application, with some members suggesting that it should be deferred until after the upcoming election, and that a new consultation should be launched, given that the application was only 30% affordable. Other members noted that the application was policy compliant, and that there was no requirement for further consultation.

Ultimately, the committee voted to defer the application, so that the applicant, Town Council and new Local Member could be consulted on the acceptability of a condition that the non-affordable units be occupied initially by those with a local connection to the Penzance Parish, before cascading to adjacent parishes or Cornwall as a whole.

Former Aquatic Shop, Stithians

An application for the conversion of a former aquatic shop in Stithians, Truro, to form a single dwelling house was granted delegated powers to approve, subject to conditions.

The Senior Development Officer, Katie Lever, recommended that the application be refused, as the proposed extension, by virtue of its scale, form and design, was considered to represent an incongruous addition.

Councillor John Thomas MBE, Electoral Division Member, spoke in support of the application, stating that the existing building was an eyesore, and that the application was considered to be acceptable and in keeping with the area. He also stated that the reduced height of the proposed flat roof would mean that it would no longer be seen from any angle, and that the location was situated inside a cluster of stone buildings, having a neutral effect on the rural area.

The committee debated the merits of the application, with some members stating that it appeared to be the best compromise for the location, and that they did not feel that the planned extension was incongruous, especially as it would not be visible at all from the highway. Other members felt that something that was visually better could have been planned for the site, and that the connection from the stone building to the flat roof extension did not look nice.

Ultimately, the committee voted to grant delegated powers to approve the application, subject to the applicant agreeing to conditions relating to statutory time limits, plans, bat/bee/bird boxes, contaminated land, materials, water efficiency, and the removal of permitted development rights.

Land South Of 6 Cross Common, The Lizard

An outline planning application for the construction of a detached dwelling on land south of 6 Cross Common, Cross Common, The Lizard, Helston was refused.

The Development Officer, Joshua Bourne, recommended that the application be refused, as the proposal would lead to a cramped form of development that would fail to provide continuity with the existing built form.

Councillor Anthony Soady, Electoral Division Member, spoke in support of the application, stating that there was unanimous support for the application from the Parish Council, that the site was an enormous site, and not a normal sized garden, and that the site currently created a huge gap between the properties, and this proposal would be an improvement for the local residents.

The committee debated the merits of the application, with some members expressing sympathy for the applicants, but noting that as this was only seeking outline permission, it was difficult to understand the final outcome. Other members stated that any development on this site would cause some harm to the environment, and that perhaps an extension to the existing building would be more appropriate in that location.

Ultimately, the committee voted to refuse the application.

Planning Appeals

The committee noted the list of planning appeal decisions received, of appeals lodged and dates of public inquiries.