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 DISUSED play ground is set to become a pre-school extension at a school in Launceston after planning permission was granted by Cornwall Council’s planning department.

Miss Jo-Anne Callow applied to Cornwall Council on behalf of Windmill Hill Academy on Windmill Hill in Launceston seeking permission for the construction of a new pre-school extension on an existing disused playground.

The extension would be an ‘in-fill’ type of development with only two new walls required.

No public comments in favour or objecting to the proposal were submitted to Cornwall Council, although Launceston Town Council indicated that it was in favour.

Cornwall Council approved the development, subject to two conditions, namely: “The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission. Reason: In accordance with the requirements of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004).”

“The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the plans listed below under the heading "Plans Referred to in Consideration of this Application". “Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.”

PROPOSALS for the phased development of two new dwellings, together with associated works to include the provision of a new footpath to the north east of the site has been approved by Cornwall Council.

Mr M Quinn, of Rose Park Farm in Otterham, Camelford applied to the local authority seeking permission to build the properties on land to the east of Otterham Park, Otterham, Camelford.

The dwellings would comprise of three-bedroom open market housing properties.

In an accompanying planning statement, the agent for Mr Quinn, Walter Wonnacott, told the local authority: “This application is for full planning permission for a phased development of two new dwellings infilling the existing development at Railside, Otterham Station.

“The site is located within the south-eastern part of the settlement of Otterham Station. The site is served by an existing access to the south, which connects to the B3262 highway.. The site lies within two modest gaps between existing dwellings and immediately fronts the estate road. The site infills the existing built form on either side within the settlement accordingly. The site is not within a designated landscape.”

As part of the approval, upon the buildings being constructed and prior to occupation, the developers of the scheme are required to pay £25,230.57 to Cornwall Council in lieu of a Community Infrastructure Levy, which can then be used for local groups or projects.

The plans were approved by Cornwall Council subject to a number of conditions relating to the phasing plans being approved and the disposal of waste and foul water.

Other conditions include the provision of obscure glazing and restricted openings on bathroom windows to protect the privacy of two neighbouring properties, water usage efficiency and the provision of a pedestrian link to Belah Meadows prior to occupation of the dwellings and permanently retained thereafter.

CORNWALL Council have issued a refusal for a lawful development certificate for a dwelling near Holsworthy.

The dwelling, known as Barcotta and located in Bridgerule, near Holsworthy has extant permission for its occupation by an agricultural worker, with the applicant seeking to have this removed.

Ms J Allighan, the applicant had recently obtained the estate after the passing away of her parents who had occupied the dwelling.

In this instance, her situation was described by Cornwall Council’s planners in an appraisal accompanying the refusal as thus: “The Statutory Declaration of Ms J Allighan explains that the property was purchased by her parents Mr and Mrs Allighan on the 11th of March 2002 and that they continually occupied the property from March 2002 until they passed away. Mrs Allighan died in November 2008 and Mr Allighan died in August 2023.

“Following the grant of probate Ms J Allighan is the executor of the estate. Ms J Allighan goes on to explain that during the period 2001 - 2011 her father sought to establish the position regarding the Agricultural Occupancy condition and evidence submitted with this application confirms this to be the case.

“Within the Supporting Statement the Agent explains that the original planning decision for the property could not be located. The Council were unable to locate a copy of the Permission. This was following the transfer of documents when North Cornwall District Council was formed back in 1974.

“The Agent goes on to explain that Mr Allighan worked as an electrical engineer until his retirement in 1986 and Mrs Allighan worked as a data entry clerk and that following both their retirements Mr and Mrs Allighan purchased a property called Elm Park. The Agent explains that they ran a bed and breakfast and at times Mr Allighan also worked as a taxi driver.

“Following the sale of Elm Park in 1995 Mr and Mrs Allighan rented and owned various other properties living off savings, pensions and investments before purchasing Barcotta in March 2002.

“I do not consider the Agent or Applicant has demonstrated that the dwelling house known as Barcotta has been occupied in breach of the agricultural occupancy condition for a continuous period in excess of 10 years.”

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