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.

PLANS to demolish a ‘large agricultural barn’ with a replacement of a dwelling has been refused by Cornwall Council’s planning department.

Mr P Cottle applied to the local authority seeking permission to demolish the redundant agricultural barn with erection of a detached self/custom build family dwelling on his land to the north of Ladywell, Kilkhampton, Bude.

It was described by the planning officer in the accompanying report as: “Full permission is sought for one dwelling, following the demolition of an agricultural barn. The site is located to the west of the settlement of Kilkhampton.

“The application site hosts a large agricultural barn, with access off a narrow lane. Prior approval for conversion of the barn into two residential dwellings was refused in 2020: PA19/11121 - Prior approval for proposed Class Q conversion of existing agricultural building to form two new dwellings. Planning Permission Required - 13.02.2020

“The application was refused for the following reason: The proposal fails Q.1 (i) as the proposed works go beyond what might be described as reasonably necessary. Therefore, planning permission is required.”

With planning permission applied for seeking the demolition of the agricultural building, the applicant was hoping that it would achieve granted permission and detailed reasons as to why it was required.

However, Cornwall Council’s planning officer opted to refuse planning permission.

They noted: “The proposal would lead to the provision of one open market dwelling, which would undoubtedly assist with the Council's housing crisis. This being said, the provision of one additional dwelling would not contribute significantly to the Council's housing land supply. The tilted balance is also engaged.

“In this situation, the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) indicates that permission should be granted unless the impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.

“The proposal is unacceptable in principle, being located outside of any settlement and not on any allocated site, nor within one of the main towns outlined in policy 3 of the Cornwall Local Plan. It is not sustainably located and would result in harm to the character of the area, including the Area of Great Landscape Value.

Refusing the application, it was concluded: “The proposal is in an un-sustainable location, being not within, adjacent or well related to any settlement and residents would be heavily reliant on the private car. Further, due to its siting, bulk and scale, the proposed dwelling represents an undesirable and sporadic form of residential development in the countryside which erodes the character and appearance of the area and Area of Great Landscape Value, having an urbanising and domesticating impact. This significantly and demonstrably outweighs the benefits of the scheme.”

PROPOSALS for an extension of a graveyard at a church in Blisland has been approved by Cornwall Council.

The Blisland with Temple Parochial Church Council applied to the local authority seeking permission to convert a plot of agricultural land measuring 578 square metres into an extension to its cemetery at the St Protus and St Hyacinth church in Blisland.

The applicant told Cornwall Council: “The Site is a verdant plot of 578 square metres in area that was originally mowed lawn but has now, through neglect, become largely overgrown with nettles.

“As the Site is currently deemed to be agricultural land the PCC believes that all of the work needed to make the plot suitable for use as a graveyard – removal of weeds and self-seeded shrubbery, re-seeding as necessary, minor repairs to walls and fences – could be carried out without the need for planning permission.

“However, in order to preserve its limited funds, the PCC would prefer to defer the expense of carrying out the tidying up operation until such time as change of use permission for the Site to be used as a graveyard has been obtained.”

Cornwall Council granted permission for the works to be undertaken.

A VILLAGE store which has been on the market could become a dwelling if plans are approved by Cornwall Council.

Mr and Mrs Wickett have applied to the local authority seeking permission to convert Furze Stores, in Morwenstow to a three-bedroom dwelling.

They told Cornwall Council: “The proposed site and building is currently trading as a general store selling a range of products and includes a café area with approximately 24 covers. The building was constructed in 2018/19 and opened just prior to the Covid 19 pandemic.

“Furze stores have seen a decline in takings and requiring personal investment in order to balance the books. This shows no signs of improving despite continued efforts to improve the offering/service.

“To make the marketing more attractive or to offer a fallback position, full planning permission is sought to change the use from shop/café to dwelling house

“To convert the space, the changes will be mainly internal with only three new window openings required which are clearly shown on the proposed plans. As the building is relatively new, insulation levels will meet current standards.

“The proposed plan shows the existing floor space divided to provide a three bedroom bungalow with open plan kitchen, living and dining space along with bathroom and utility.”

The plans can be viewed using reference PA25/00653.

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