85 more new homes to be built in Hayle despite claims the town can't cope
The town council is warning local infrastructure is already stretched to breaking point
A developer has been granted permission to build 85 new homes in Hayle despite the town council warning that the area cannot cope with any more development.
Burrington Estates had applied to Cornwall Council for permission to build the homes on land off Viaduct Hill in Hayle.
The site is located in the Hayle Growth Area which was allocated as land to be used for housing development and other facilities.
That document was drawn up in a process which was agreed by Cornwall Council along with Hayle Town Council.
However the town council objected to the new planning application claiming that there was insufficient infrastructure to support the development.
Anne-Marie Rance from the town council said that they "strongly object" to the plans stating that there is currently in place planning permission or building work started on around 700 homes in and around Hayle.
She said: "This development and others in the Hayle Growth Area are not sustainable. Our infrastructure can’t cope with this.
"The GP surgeries are currently working at double capacity and recently told us in a meeting that they are at breaking point.
"Development is causing huge problems for Hayle and is having an increasing impact on surrounding parish councils".
Cllr Rance said that the local road network had "failed" and said that the amount of traffic in and around Hayle was on the rise.
She said that the problems were not just linked to the planned development of 85 more homes but the impact caused when combined with all other development in the area.
"If Cornwall Council wants this area to be built on they need to ensure that the infrastructure is there first. The growth is not sustainable".
The applicant’s agent Georgina Nelson highlighted that the site was in the growth area which had been allocated for development.
She said: "We recognise that the Hayle Town Council is anti any of the development in the growth area. This is an allocated site and therefore the principle of development is already there".
The agent also added that highways officers had raised no objections to the plans and that funding was in place for major improvements to be made at Loggans Moor roundabout which was aimed at easing traffic problems in the area.
She said that the development would provide 25 affordable homes – meeting the 30% requirement set in the growth area planning documents. There were also agreements to provide funding towards transport projects.
Planning officer Mark Broomhead reminded the committee that they had to look at the planning application on its own merit and not in conjunction with any other development.
He reminded them that the site was allocated for development and included in the growth area which had been approved by both the town council and Cornwall Council.
Committee members raised concerns about access to local services from the site and the provision of play areas and open space.
Mike Thomas said: "I am generally disappointed that we are looking at a development so lacking in open space and biodiversity".
Councillors had raised concerns that the play areas would not be provided until 75% of the homes had been completed.
Cllr Thomas addressed the planning officers stating: "Sitting here as an elected member of the public I do feel it is something we should bring back, as the planning authority we do have concerns and people out there will be knocking on our doors, as elected members, rather than your doors as planning officers".
The committee agreed unanimously to approve the application but included an additional condition that the play area is provided by the time 50% of the homes are built.