This week, Cornwall Council held three meetings: the West Sub-Area Planning Committee on Monday, the Licensing Act Sub Committee on Wednesday, and the Licensing Act Committee on Thursday.

West Sub-Area Planning Committee

The West Sub-Area Planning Committee convened on 24 June 2024, reviewing three planning applications. Two were approved, and one was refused.

PA23-04960 Church View Farm, St Erth

The committee approved an application for constructing nine houses, associated parking, and landscaping at Church View Farm, St Erth, despite concerns raised by Councillor Loveday Jenkin and St Erth Parish Council. They argued the development was not in keeping with the St Erth Neighbourhood Development Plan, citing inadequate parking, inappropriate design, and insufficient landscaping.

Councillor Jenkin: My main concern remains the lack of parking... I appreciate that the parking provision meets the minimum standards, however those standards do not reflect the on-street parking stress currently experienced in the area.

The planning officer recommended approval, asserting the proposal met parking standards and aligned with local policies.

Planning Officer: ...the proposal does comply with our parking standards which state that there should be a minimum of two parking spaces per dwelling for dwellings of three or more bedrooms.

PA23-09902 Land adjacent to the Garrack Hotel

An application to demolish the existing dwelling and outbuildings at Land adjacent to the Garrack Hotel, St Ives and erect 19 dwellings was refused. Councillor Andrew Mitchell and the planning officer argued the density was too high, contravening Policy 20 of the Cornwall Local Plan and Policy H2 of the St Ives Neighbourhood Development Plan.

Councillor Mitchell: I understand that the Cornwall Local Plan designates this land for housing. However it states that any development should be 'in keeping with the scale and character of the surrounding area'. This application is for 19 dwellings on a site that is currently a single dwelling. That is simply too many dwellings.

The committee agreed, voting to refuse the application.

PA24-01591 Land adjacent to Botallack Vean

The final application for a detached three-bedroom dormer bungalow at Land adjacent to Botallack Vean, Botallack was approved contrary to the officer's recommendation. Councillor Joan Symons and some residents opposed the application, citing overdevelopment and harm to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Licensing Act Committee

On 27 June 2024, the Licensing Act Committee discussed a draft revision to the council's Statement of Principles under Section 153 of The Gambling Act 2005. The committee agreed to put the revised statement to a public consultation for 12 weeks.

Councillor Connor Donnithorne: 12 weeks just doesn't seem very long to get this out, consulted on, and get it back in.

Councillor Donnithorne's motion to extend the consultation to 16 weeks was seconded and passed unanimously.

Licensing Act Sub Committee

The Licensing Act Sub Committee met on 26 June 2024 to discuss a new premises licence for the Crab & Compass pub at 33 Fore Street, Newquay. The application by All Things Cornwall Ltd was granted with conditions, including noise-limiting equipment, a 'Challenge 25' policy, and restrictions on outdoor alcohol consumption and music.

Residents raised concerns about potential noise and antisocial behaviour. However, the committee was satisfied that the conditions would mitigate these issues.

Mr Jones (Resident): ...the noise from pubs and clubs on Fore Street was already a major problem, and he feared that granting this licence would only make matters worse.

The decision will now be considered by the full Cornwall Council meeting.