Plan for 90 Cornwall homes approved despite concerns
The homes in clay country raised concerns from the council
A Cornwall Council planning committee has approved a plan for 90 homes in clay country despite concerns raised by the area’s Reform councillor and the parish council. The committee noted that neither appeared at the meeting to outline the reasons for their opposition.
Westcountry Land (Kenwyn) Ltd applied for outline permission for the development, which will include 23 affordable homes, on 3.14 hectares of agricultural land to the north of Roche, near St Austell. The site is surrounded on three sides by housing. There will be a mix of terraced housing, semi-detached and detached, and bungalows as well as a block of flats.
A Cornwall Council planning officer recommended approval due to the provision of housing, including affordable housing, during a declared housing crisis in Cornwall, at a location with good accessibility to services and facilities. Cllr Stephen Trevelyan (Roche & Bugle, Reform UK) brought the application before the central area planning committee today (Monday, September 22) due to his concern regarding the adverse impact of the proposal on local infrastructure.
Cllr Treveylan was not present at the meeting and had not sent anything to be read out on his behalf, but had previously said: “I would like this matter to go to committee as I and many residents are concerned with the already stretched infrastructure. I’m not for any large development unless the infrastructure, namely schools and medical facilities are included to meet the extra demand.” Roche Parish Council also objected but there was no one present to speak on behalf of the local authority either.
Applicant Justin Dodge, from Westcountry Land (Kenwyn) Ltd, was at the meeting. He said he understood why the ward member had called the application to committee, citing the demands on infrastructure. “We have agreed to education and NHS financial contributions to address this as far as we can. Accordingly, this application is fully policy compliant.”
Mr Dodge said the homes would be “high quality and low carbon” on a logical and sustainable site, as surrounded on three sides by housing developments. He stressed the number of affordable homes and the provision of a large public space and play area.
Cllr Alan Rowe (Falmouth Penwerris, Labour) said: “What I’m seeing before me is a high quality, well laid out development, lots of public open space, the affordable housing is scattered throughout, so there will be no stigma for anyone living in affordable houses. The local member has called this and hasn’t even turned up, and hasn’t submitted anything to be read out either, which is disappointing.”
He recommended approval, which was granted following a unanimous vote.