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 INDOOR padel court could be coming to Bodmin after planning approval for the change of use of an industrial building was granted by Cornwall Council.

Mr Shaun Greenslade of City Padel Bodmin Ltd applied to the local planning authority seeking permission to change the use of an industrial unit on Normandy Way in Bodmin from a ‘modern industrial or warehouse premises to a padel centre’ with the plans to incorporate a new entrance, signage and an outside padel court.

The approved plans would see the use of the industrial unit for the provision of the sport, and would incorporate indoor padel courts with reception, refreshments and changing areas in addition to an outdoor padel court and a mezzanine viewing space.

In the application, the planning agent for the applicant told Cornwall Council: “Padel tennis is currently experiencing significant growth across the UK, with increasing levels of participation and a rapid expansion in court provision.

“Originating in Mexico and widely established in Spain and other parts of Europe, padel is played on a smaller (than tennis) enclosed court, combining features of both tennis and squash. Its popularity derives from its accessibility, being easy to learn, sociable, and appealing to a broad demographic.

“National sports bodies, operators, and private clubs are actively investing in new facilities, reflecting the strong demand and the sport’s recognised potential for long-term growth.

“The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), which governs padel in the UK, has identified it as a key development area within its wider strategy to broaden participation in racket sports.

“Projections suggest that the number of players and courts will continue to grow substantially over the coming years, confirming padel’s emerging role as a mainstream recreational and competitive sport in the UK.

“The applicant, City Padel, is well established with a very successful centre in Exeter – located in the Hill Barton Business Centre. City Padel have plans to establish padel centres throughout the South West to cater for the growing demand.”

Cornwall Council approved the application subject to a number of conditions. These included that prior to the first use of the building as a padel centre, it must have submitted plans for the incorporation of bat boxes, bird boxes and bee bricks.

Another involved no lighting being installed on the site until a lighting strategy has been submitted and approved in writing by Cornwall Council, with any lighting strategy to include measures to limit the intensity of the light and the spillage from it.

The council added in this condition: “The applicant should demonstrate that the proposed lighting is the minimum needed for operational purposes and that the proposals minimise pollution from glare and spillage”, further observing that any such lighting should not disturb bats.

The council added that the applicant was not allowed to use the premises for any other purpose than as a padel court. It said this was because: “The proposal despite being a main town centre use not within a town centre, and being located on safeguarded employment land, was, due to its particular sporting and community use benefit, found on fine balance to be acceptable in planning terms, in a manner that other uses may not have. Accordingly different uses of the premises may not be acceptable against development plan policies.”

A PRE-application advice enquiry for a proposal that would have seen the removal of poly tunnels and its replacement in the form of a dwelling has been met with a negative response by Cornwall Council.

The application concerned land to the north of Lower Trenarrett, Altarnun, Launceston.

The applicant stated: “We are seeking preplanning advice for redevelopment of the site formerly used as a commercial plant nursery to residential use at Little Trenarrett, Altarnun for Mr and Mrs R J Langley.

“The proposal is for a single detached four bedroomed private dwelling house. Careful consideration has been made to the setting and the wider area of the hamlet of Trenarrett.

“The plot was formerly the site of commercial poly tunnels which were erected with planning permission about 25 years ago for a small nursery business. Following COVID and extensive damage in recent storms the business became unviable.

“We believe this would make a good site for a single residential dwelling to add to this small hamlet. The site has direct access on to the shared access track which serves all the residents of Trenarrett. Trenarrett is a mediaeval hamlet which has recently had two houses added on the site of agricultural buildings.

“There are two further houses that were built in the last 50 years plus two houses dating back several centuries. The total size of the plot is approximately two acres comprising paddocks and a well-established orchard as well as the area of the remains of the poly tunnels. We have filled in the pre-application form and attached all the required documentation.

“We would like confirmation that the plot would be considered for development before we engage an architect to draw detailed plans to submit for planning application.”

However, the council said that it would be considered as development in open countryside, adding: “The development of the site to accommodate a residential dwelling, replacing the polytunnels, would not receive officer support and we would not encourage the submission of an application.”