EACH week, hundreds of planning applications come before Cornwall Council’s planning department, seeking to win approval for various plans right across the Duchy.

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 for the installation of a cash machine outside of a takeaway in Launceston has been refused by Cornwall Council.

Concerns had been raised that the works required to install an external automated teller machine (ATM) outside of the Launceston Tandoori would have a major impact on the historic Grade II listed building within which it sits.

Historic Environment Planning (HEP) said in its consultation response: “The HEP team do have some concerns regarding the addition of the ATM machine within the traditional shopfront of number 7 as it will undoubtedly have an adverse impact on the character of the building and the Conservation Area. There are no details/or justification included within the application as to why the ATM machine is necessary within the town and why this particular building has been selected. Furthermore, it is not clear from the submitted information whether the glass within the shopfront is original or of some age.”

It was this concern that led to a recommendation to refuse the application, with the accompanying officers’ report concluding: “It is considered that the proposed development would result in less than substantial harm to the significance of designated heritage assets, and that this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal. In this case, the perceived harm to the appearance and character and setting of listed heritage assets and their contribution to the historic environment within the conservation area outweighs the public benefit that could be derived by the provision of an additional ATM within the town.

“As such, the application is therefore considered unacceptable, in conflict with the provisions, aims and intentions of local and national planning policy and guidance, and is recommended for refusal for the reason specified.”

Refusing the application, the authority’s planning department said: “The proposed installation of an automated teller machine (ATM) within the shop frontage of this Grade II listed building would result in harm to the appearance, character, setting and significance of listed heritage assets and their contribution to the historic environment within this part of the Conservation Area. However, whilst this harm is considered to be less than substantial, it is not outweighed by the public benefit that could be derived by the provision of an additional ATM within the town.”

A PLANNING pre-application advice enquiry for the construction of an alcohol distillery on the historic grounds of Bodmin Jail has been submitted to Cornwall Council for consideration.

In the application, the planning agent for the owners of Bodmin Jail said: “The proposed development at Bodmin Jail represents an exciting new chapter in the evolution of one of Cornwall’s most significant historic landmarks. Set within the dramatic granite walls and landscaped terraces of the former prison complex, the scheme introduces a contemporary craft distillery seamlessly integrated with the Grade II listed Chaplaincy and Governor’s House. Together, these elements will form a unique heritage-led visitor destination that unites history, craftsmanship, and innovation.

“The proposal forms part of the ongoing regeneration of Bodmin Jail—one of Cornwall’s most significant heritage landmarks—building on the success of the Bodmin Jail Hotel and Bodmin Jail Experience. Collectively, these initiatives establish the site as a unified, heritage-led visitor destination. The current scheme represents the next phase in this evolution, extending the visitor offer through the creation of a craft distillery experience that combines small scale production, education, and tourism within a historically grounded setting.

“The development aims to secure the long-term conservation and viable reuse of the Chaplaincy, Governor’s House, and listed boundary wall, introduce a purpose-built distillery that complements the character and hierarchy of the existing complex, deliver economic, cultural, and community benefits through job creation, visitor growth, and local supply chain support; and enhance the sustainability and accessibility of the Bodmin Jail estate through sensitive design, landscaping, and infrastructure improvements.

“Constructed in the mid-nineteenth century, the Chaplaincy and Governor’s House form part of the later expansion of the original prison and are significant for their Baronial architectural style, relationship to the wider complex, and social-historic importance within Cornwall’s penal reform movement. Alongside the enclosing stone wall, they contribute strongly to Bodmin’s townscape and historic identity.”

It also claims that the proposals will help conserve the Grade II buildings which will form the entrance to the proposed distillery, adding: “In all cases, the harm is found to lie at the lower end of the scale, and is localised, reversible, and proportionate to the scale of change required to secure viable reuse. The essential form, materials, architectural character and hierarchical relationship of the listed buildings at Bodmin Jail remain intact and legible.

“A number of public benefits have been identified in the proposals. These include the securing long-term viable use of the Governor’s House and Chaplaincy, heritage assets found during the site visit to be in a poor and deteriorating condition, risking future vacancy and further deterioration.”

Amid ongoing issues related to parking provision for visitors to the attraction, with residents complaining of dangerous roadside parking by visitors and a long-running dispute with Bodmin Town Council over the leasing of the land that forms the Berrycoombe Car Park, the application says that the proposed distillery will not have an adverse impact on the area.

Cornwall Council are set to respond to the advice enquiry and will confirm whether the plans are likely to get approval.