EACH week, hundreds of planning applications come before Cornwall Council’s planning department, seeking to win approval for various plans right across the Duchy, with some concerning Holsworthy handled by Torridge District Council.

These plans can comprise of a number of different reasonings – ranging from permission to replace windows or listed building consent ranging up to large house building developments or changing of use of a building, for instance, from an office to a café, or flats.

Within this large and often complex system, there are a number of formats from which planning advice and approval can be sought.

These range from full applications where all the details which comprise a proposed development or work to a building are submitted, to outline applications, where further details are yet to be confirmed, for example, an outline application with reserved matters for appearance may not confirm the final proposed development but rather seek permission in principle.

An example of this is one for an outline permission for 20 dwellings on land with reserved matters for appearance and scale; the reserved matters would require further permission later for their inclusion.

Other types of applications include pre-application advice requests, where would-be developers submit often outline proposals to a local authority to ascertain whether it is likely to gain support or not prior to submitting a planning application.

The vast majority of applications are decided by planning officers employed by a local authority under ‘delegated powers’, meaning they do so on behalf of their employer, however, some applications are ‘called in’ by local councillors to be discussed at an area’s strategic planning committee meeting, meaning the final decision rests with a committee of councillors.

A BID to construct five houses near to a Bodmin Moor village has been refused by Cornwall Council’s planners.

Chevallier Developments sought planning permission to build five houses in the hamlet of Fentonadle, which is approximately a kilometre away from Michaelstow and St Breward.

It would have seen the construction of five four-bedroomed properties.

The applicant told Cornwall Council: “The site is located at Woodland Farm, situated within the hamlet of Fentonadle, and covers approximately 0.74 hectares. The existing farmhouse lies to the northwest of the site while unrelated neighbouring dwellings are positioned on the opposite side of the lane to the west. The immediate landscape gently slopes downward to the southeast.

“The proposal clearly constitutes an appropriate rounding off development. The site is adjacent to existing built form on two sides and is well defined by established boundary features. It occupies a sustainable location within the settlement of Fentonadle, where modest housing growth through infill and rounding off is supported by Policy 3 of the Cornwall Local Plan.”

However, Cornwall Council refused the application, stating: “The proposed scheme, by reason of its design, scale, layout and appearance, is out of keeping with its surroundings. It would, as a consequence of its form and prominence, be at odds with and fail to respond positively to the simple form and character of the immediate area and buildings within Fentonadle.

“The proposal would appear as an undesirable, incongruous form of development that would not promote local distinctiveness and would be harmful to the wider open aspect and mainly undeveloped rural character of its setting and the Area of Great Landscape Value.”

PERMISSION in principle for the construction of between five and nine dwellings on land near Bude has been granted by Cornwall Council.

The application sought to establish whether the principle of building the dwellings on the land to the east of Park Farm, Hobbacott Lane, Marhamchurch would be acceptable – however, a full planning application would be required in order for the plans to commence.

Despite objections from residents and the town council, the planning authority decreed that none were of a significance that would have a bearing on the final decision.

As a result, Cornwall Council granted permission in principle, overcoming the first stage of the planning process.

A FORMER mayor of Bodmin has welcomed the news that an application for the installation of two digital advertising boards in the town has been withdrawn.

Cllr Andy Coppin had raised concerns after a planning application seeking to install two digital advertising boards with attached public amenities had been submitted by The Urban Innovation Company.

He was particularly concerned about the proposed location of the two large advertising boards within the town’s conservation area, with illustrative photos submitted as part of the plans indicating that, if they had been approved, would have seen them sited next to the Turret House clock and in front of the stone commemorating the role of Bodmin lawyer Thomas Flamank in the furtive 1497 Cornish rebellion.

The advertisements displayed is intended to pay for the upkeep of the digital LED boards, which the company says also offer a range of community amenities, including a public access defibrillator and donation of advertising time to local groups.

In the planning application, the company added: “The design of the Pulse Smart Hubs has been developed over time and is a high quality, multifunctional piece of street furniture which maximises the services available to the public within a footprint smaller than a traditional public call box.

“The Internet of Things (IoT) technology and provision of open-source data provide endless potential applications that will see the use of the Hub evolve. The two proposed digital displays form part of the offer to local stakeholders and will be made available for a wide range of public uses.

“They are a key element of the proposal as they will support the advertising required to make the scheme viable without any capital or revenue costs to the council or the public.”

While no reason for withdrawing a planning application is given when it is confirmed as such, it can sometimes be the case that it is to allow the proposer to make substantive changes to their proposals and then submit as a new application at a later date.

Cllr Coppin had written to the company urging them to withdraw and revisit their plans. In an email, he stated that he was shocked that it would wish to install the advertising boards next to the two locations, branding the proposals as ‘disrespectful’ and called on them to withdraw the application and work with Bodmin Town Council to identify more suitable locations.

There had also been eight comments of objection from Bodmin residents to the application, including Cllr Coppin.

Reacting to the withdrawal of the application, Cllr Coppin said: “I am delighted that the Urban Innovation Company have reacted to my writing to them and withdrawn this application.

“It was clearly going to be unpopular with the majority of residents. Hopefully they will now engage properly with the local community. I am more than happy to work with them to find more suitable locations.”

The Urban Innovation Company has been approached for comment and clarification on its future plans for bringing its services to the town.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.