The Central Sub-Area Planning Committee met to discuss two planning applications and an appeals report. Permission in Principle was granted for the construction of up to four dwellings at Trecarne in Trewoon, and full planning permission was granted for a new dwelling on Fistral Crescent in Newquay.

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair

Councillor Dulcie Tudor was elected Chair of the Central Sub Area Planning Committee, and Councillor Steven Webb was elected Vice-Chair.

PA25/00819: Trecarne, Trevanion Lane, Trewoon, St Austell, Cornwall, PL25 5SU

Permission in Principle was granted for the construction of between one and four dwellings at Trecarne, Trevanion Lane, Trewoon.

The Senior Development Officer, Samantha Hewitt, outlined the application, recommending that Permission in Principle (PiP) be granted.

Councillor Julie Cunningham, Electoral Division Member, raised concerns regarding access to the site, stating that the footpath was narrow and unsuitable for larger vehicles. She suggested an illustrative drawing of the access arrangements and a Construction Management Plan would be beneficial.

Officers clarified that access arrangements were not a matter for the PiP stage, and that the Highways Officer had not raised any objections in principle. They also confirmed that updates to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in December 2024 meant that the council could not demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites, resulting in a tilted balance in favour of development.

Councillors discussed the potential impact on the character of the area, with some expressing concern that the site was surrounded by open farmland. Others noted that the site was previously developed land with two existing dwellings.

Ultimately, the committee voted to grant Permission in Principle, subject to the informative set out in the report and the following additional informatives:

• Construction Management Plan: A Construction Method Statement should accompany the Technical Details Consent, providing details for parking, loading, storage, dust control, waste management, access arrangements, and measures to keep public highways free from debris.
• Access: The developer's attention is drawn to concerns surrounding the use of the Public Right of Way (PROW) for the development, and it is recommended that development proposed under the Technical Details Consent does not intensify the use of this PROW and instead is served off Trevanion Hill.

PA24/09565: Land South Of Riverbank, Fistral Crescent, Newquay, TR7 1PQ

Planning permission was granted for the construction of a new dwelling at Land South Of Riverbank, Fistral Crescent, Newquay.

The Development Officer, Matthew Follis, outlined the application, recommending approval subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Councillor Sandy Carter of Newquay Town Council spoke against the application.

Councillor Joanna Kenny, Electoral Division Member, raised concerns about the impact on the character of the area, the King Charles III England Coast Path, and the removal of a section of old natural stone wall and green verge. She referenced Planning Inspectorate comments on previous appeal decisions, which recognised that development in the area would cause material visual harm. She also argued that there were sufficient site allocations available to meet the housing requirement without building on sensitive sites.

Officers reiterated their recommendation for approval, stating that the proposal would increase the housing supply in a sustainable location, the harm on the character of the area was considered minor, and the proposal would accord with the Development Plan and NPPF when read as a whole.

Councillors debated the potential impact on the character of the area and the Coast Path. Some felt the proposal would adversely affect the character of the area and set a precedent for similar developments, while others believed the proposal would sit well on the site and not cause visual harm.

The committee voted to approve the application subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Appeals Report

The committee noted the list of planning appeal decisions received, appeals lodged, and dates of public inquiries, as detailed in the Appeals Report.