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.

AN application seeking the change of use for a touring caravan park in order to install 16 holiday lodges and nine static caravans for a site in St Minver has been submitted to Cornwall Council.

The application concerns Gunvenna Farm Caravan and Camp Site in St Minver.

At present Gunvenna Farm Holiday Park comprises of 44 static caravans and 12 lodges, and it says it wishes to build upon the existing provision and ensure the long term sustainability of the business.

The applicant’s planning agent told Cornwall Council: “The holiday park sector has undergone notable changes in recent years.

“In particular, there has been a decline in the touring caravan market. This is attributed to several factors, including the increasing adoption of electric vehicles, which are currently less compatible with towing caravans and present practical challenges for charging while towing caravans and trailers.

“In addition, wider market trends—including increased availability of low-cost overseas travel and variable weather conditions—have contributed to a reduction in demand for traditional touring and camping holidays.

“As a family-run business with a long-term commitment to the site, the applicants are seeking to adapt to these changes in a way that ensures the continued viability of the park.

“Rather than selling the site to a larger corporate operator, the intention is to implement a more sustainable and manageable operating model. The proposed development involves a gradual transition away from touring pitches towards a greater proportion of privately owned static caravans and lodges. This model reflects established trends within the holiday park industry and aligns with the applicants’ direct experience.

“Privately owned holiday accommodation typically results in reduced frequency of visitor turnover, lower overall traffic movements, and a more stable and predictable pattern of site usage

“This approach is therefore considered to support a more sustainable form of tourism within the local area.

“The proposal is expected to provide ongoing economic benefits to the local community. Evidence from the existing operation indicates that owners of static caravans and lodges contribute consistently to the local economy, making regular use of nearby shops, services, and facilities.

“Unlike short-stay visitors, who increasingly arrive with provisions, holiday home owners tend to purchase goods locally during their stays. The proposed development is therefore expected to support increased and more reliable local spending. Furthermore, the development and ongoing maintenance of the site will continue to provide work for local trades and suppliers.”

The plans can be viewed using reference PA25/09519 on the Cornwall Council planning portal.

THE creation of five dwellings on a Bodmin Moor farm yard has been approved by Cornwall Council’s planning department.

Messrs. Rob and Wayne Davey submitted proposals seeking the creation of five dwellings on the site at Hill Farmyard, St Breward.

The five dwellings would comprise of one dwelling formed from the conversion of the existing retained stone barns with four new dwellings which would replace the ‘modern agricultural barns’.

The applicant’s planning agent told Cornwall Council: “The proposal seeks planning permission for the redevelopment of Hill Farmyard, a brownfield site within the built form of St Breward.

“The redevelopment proposals comprise five dwellings. Four are proposed to be delivered via new build dwellings replacing existing agricultural structures, with one. delivered via the adaptive re-use of the existing - more historic - stone built barns on site.

“The proposed replacement dwelling represents a clear enhancement, responding positively to the constraints and opportunities of the site and its setting. The development layout is based upon a traditional rural courtyard farmstead arrangement, scale and materiality, enhancing the character and appearance of the street scene and respecting its rural location.

“The proposal has been carefully designed to protect surrounding natural features and to provide appropriate outlook and residential amenity. The development makes effective use of the site by replacing the existing redundant agricultural building with high-quality, architecturally designed homes.

“Together with the proposed landscaping, the scheme delivers a resilient, sustainable and long-lasting form of development, improving the quality of the local housing stock.”

Five residents objected to the proposals on various grounds, mostly ranging around the increase of traffic on the roads.

Other reasons for objections from the five objectors included the ‘destruction of wildlife’, the ‘spoilage of aesthetics’, parking, the houses not being designated ‘affordable’, ‘too many houses’, and the access near to a primary school.

St Breward Parish Council said it had no objections to the scheme.

However, these objections were not seen as sufficient grounds for refusal by Cornwall Council who approved the scheme, concluding: “The application provides five new dwellings within an established settlement with access to services and facilities for day to day living as well as the ability to use sustainable modes of transport. The site is therefore considered highly sustainable and in accordance with housing policies within the CLP and the tilted balance of the NPPF.

“The conversion of the three barns to one dwelling makes good use of redundant buildings in a sympathetic manner and the four new dwellings have been designed to minimise impact through the material palette.”

PROPOSALS that could see the erection of an industrial building for the use of a builder’s merchants on the outskirts of Wadebridge has been submitted to Cornwall Council.

If approved, it would allow the presently undeveloped land to the north of Clear Space, Dunveth Business Park to be used for this purpose.

It would see the erection of a 1,241 square metre industrial building.

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

The full plans can be viewed using reference PA26/02323 on the Cornwall Council planning portal.