PLANS to open a car sales and repairs business in Newquay have been approved despite opposition.

Cornwall Council has given the go ahead for a change of use of the Cornwall Office Furniture hangar at Prow Park in Treloggan Industrial Estate.

Newquay Town Council’s planning committee objected to the planning application stating it could not support th plans without a “clear understanding” of the parking arrangements but a Cornwall Council planning officer approved the scheme after taking all the evidence into account as there was nothing of such significance to turn the plans down.

The town council as a consultee said: “When considering the parking provision for the intended new occupant, councillors noted the application form states there are 16 dedicated spaces associated with the current premises, and that the change of use applied for will not alter this.

“However, the application documents fail to show these 16 spaces within the application site, and with the nature of the new use, councillors agreed they couldn't support the application without a clear understanding of the parking arrangements. In addition, councillors did query whether the noise generated from the repairs side of the business could impact the residents of Bedowan Meadows or other key workers who may reside on Prow Park.”

The planning officer concluded: “The site is situated around 30metres to the nearest sensitive receptor/neighbouring residential properties on the other side of the train track, in an area where noise already exists. Additionally, given the location within an industrial estate, noise inevitably forms part of the character and nature of the activities taking place in the area. Moreover, a 2.15 metre high solid block wall exists between the rear of the application shed and the houses on the other side of the railway line which would perform as a noise barrier

“Nonetheless, similar to other permissions across the industrial estate concerning general industry uses, a condition restricting the hours of operation of car repairs have been discussed with the agent, confirmation in writing has been provided that the proposed limitation for these activities to take place only between the hours of 8am and 7pm is acceptable, and thus this condition has been attached to the decision.

“The submitted block plan shows the existing 16 parking spaces would be retained, with additional provision also available within the building. As such, the level of parking would exceed the expected standard, and the proposal would include adequate provision.

“It is not considered that the proposal would have a severe adverse impact on the transport networking terms of capacity and congestion or an unacceptable impact on highway safety.

“Taking these factors into account, it is considered that the proposal is acceptable, subject to conditions. All other matters raised have been taken into account, including the planning history and the comments of the town council, but none is of such significance as to outweigh the considerations that have led to the conclusion.”