The West Sub-Area Planning Committee of Cornwall Council met on Monday 20 July 2026 to discuss three planning applications. The committee refused an application for nine dwellings on agricultural land south of Parc Garland, Church Cove, The Lizard, Helston, due to concerns about its impact on the Cornwall National Landscape. An application for development adjacent to 1 St James Place, Praze Road, Leedstown, was deferred to allow for further information to be gathered regarding its ecological and contamination status. Finally, the committee granted permission in principle for five open-market dwellings on land west of Milsrof, Eglos Road, Ludgvan, Penzance.

Land South of Parc Garland, Church Cove, The Lizard, Helston (PA26/04139)

The committee refused an application for permission in principle for up to nine dwellings on agricultural land south of Parc Garland, Church Cove, The Lizard, Helston. The Principal Development Officer had recommended approval, but concerns were raised by Councillor Gow, the Electoral Division Member, and objectors regarding the site's location within the Cornwall National Landscape. Key arguments against the development included its potential to have an urbanising effect and conflict with the statutory purpose of the designation, as well as contravening several Cornwall Local Plan policies related to landscape protection. While acknowledging Cornwall's housing pressures, it was argued that the lack of a five-year housing supply did not automatically justify development within a protected landscape. The proposal was also criticised for not proposing affordable housing and for being on greenfield land rather than previously developed land. Despite officers' views that the benefits outweighed the localised natural landscape harm, and that permission in principle applications could not be refused on localised housing need grounds, the committee voted by 6 to 2 to refuse the application. The reasons for refusal centred on the introduction of residential built form onto a greenfield site, the loss of open land, harmful urbanising effects, and the failure to conserve and enhance the landscape character and natural beauty of the Cornwall National Landscape.

Land Adjacent to 1 St James Place, Praze Road, Leedstown (PA24/03042)

An application for development on land adjacent to 1 St James Place, Praze Road, Leedstown, was deferred by the committee. The Principal Development Officer had recommended approval, subject to planning conditions and a Section 106 agreement. However, Councillor Jenkin, the Electoral Division Member, raised significant concerns about the ecological assessment of the site, arguing that the eastern half was lowland heathland, a habitat that had been present for over 100 years and formed an important wildlife corridor. He also highlighted issues with land contamination from historic mine spoil, suggesting that further investigations were required and that the site might be unviable due to remediation costs. Concerns were also raised about the site's location outside the main settlement and its separation from the core of the village. Following a debate, a proposal to approve the application with an additional condition to assess and mitigate the impact on the heather on the site fell. The committee then voted by 10 to 0 to defer the application to request additional information from the agent and to re-consult the World Heritage Officer. Delegated powers will be given to the Service Director for Planning & Housing (Chief Planning Officer) to make the final decision upon receipt of further comments.

Land West of Milsrof, Eglos Road, Ludgvan, Penzance (PA26/04461)

The committee granted permission in principle for five open-market dwellings on land west of Milsrof, Eglos Road, Ludgvan, Penzance. The Senior Development Officer had recommended approval. Councillor Line, the Electoral Division Member, spoke against the application, citing conflicts with the Ludgvan Neighbourhood Development Plan and the Cornwall Local Plan, as the site was outside the settlement boundary and on actively farmed Grade 2 Best and Most Versatile agricultural land. Concerns were raised about the permanent loss of productive farmland, the impact on the rural approach to Ludgvan, and the potential for incremental development. It was also argued that the proposal did not adequately address local housing need, and that a recently approved development of 40 homes in Ludgvan Parish would already make a significant contribution. Objections were also raised regarding archaeological impacts and the potential for future expansion. Despite these concerns, and a debate that acknowledged the loss of farmland would be disappointing, the committee voted by 7 to 4 to grant permission in principle. The reasons for granting permission were as set out in the report.

The committee also noted a list of planning appeal decisions received, appeals lodged, and dates of public inquiries. There was no other business of urgency considered by the Chairman.