The East Sub-Area Planning Committee met to discuss two planning applications and note an appeals report. Councillors approved the conversion of a historic building in Menheniot, and delegated authority to the Chief Planning Officer to approve an application for affordable housing in Widegates.

Land South East Of Roseland House Menheniot Cornwall PL14 3PQ

Councillors unanimously approved an application for the conversion of the stone wall remains of a historic building into a two-storey dwellinghouse, subject to conditions.

The application site is located to the south of Roseland House a grade II listed building¹ in Menheniot. The application sought permission to convert the remains of former cottages into a single dwelling. A representative of Menheniot Parish Council, Councillor Cole, spoke against the application, as did Tamsin Hemming, a local resident.

The planning officer, George Shirley, clarified that the remaining walls of the former buildings had not been considered as curtilage listed² due to its previous use and ownerships. He added that although the proposal would be visible, the design and materials would ensure that the development would have an acceptable impact on the setting of the listed building. Councillor Smith, the Electoral Division Member, was not in attendance at the meeting.

During a discussion, councillors raised concerns about the potential impact of the construction phase on the local highway and neighbouring properties. In response, Councillor Long proposed an additional condition requiring the submission and approval of a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) and programme of works before any development takes place. This proposal was seconded by Councillor James O'Keefe and was approved unanimously. The CTMP is required to include:

• 24 hour emergency contact number;
• Hours of operation;
• Parking of vehicle of site operatives and visitors (including measures taken to ensure satisfactory access and movement for existing occupiers of neighbouring properties during construction);
• Routes for construction traffic;
• Locations for loading/unloading and storage of plant, waste and construction materials;
• Method of preventing mud being carried onto the highway;
• Dust mitigation measures.
• Any necessary temporary traffic management measures;
• Arrangements to receive abnormal loads or unusually large vehicles;
• Methods of communicating the Construction Management Plan to staff, visitors and neighbouring residents and businesses.

Land North Of Little Chimneys Widegates Cornwall

The committee delegated authority to the Chief Planning Officer to approve an application for 5 affordable dwelling houses in Widegates, subject to conditions and the prior completion of a Section 106 agreement³ to secure the proposed affordable housing in perpetuity. The application sought permission for 5 affordable homes. Councillor Mark Gibbons, the Electoral Division Member, raised concerns on behalf of the parish council, regarding the footpath, the installation of solar panels and grey water recycling, and the resurfacing of the single track road.

The Senior Development Officer, Shauna Vandermeulen, clarified that the original application was for 5 open market dwellings, which the committee resolved to approve in November 2023, subject to a Section 106 Agreement to secure the necessary contributions. However, due to viability issues, the developers revised the scheme, and a Registered Provider was found to deliver the scheme as 100% affordable housing.

She added that the proposal was being considered as a rounding off scheme where Policy 8 of the Cornwall Local Plan was applied in terms of affordable housing, and that it was not a Rural Exceptions Site⁴. She also clarified that the Neighbourhood Plan did not have a policy base to insist upon solar panels and grey water recycling, and that the application was submitted prior to the introduction of Policy SEC1 of the Climate Emergency.

Appeals Report

The committee noted the Appeals Report.