AN appeal has been lodged and registered against Cornwall Council’s most recent refusal to allow houses to be built on a the former Bullers Arms pub car park in Marhamchurch.

The refused application had sought permission for five new houses and one commercial unit, together with the demolition of both the car park stores and rear corner lobby area of the Bullers Arms. The car park is in separate ownership to the pub, and was closed to patrons in October 2014.

Cornwall Council has also previously refused plans seeking to build seven homes on the former pub car park — a subsequent appeal in relation to that application was dismissed last year by a Government planning inspector.

Walter Wonnacott, consultant for Peter Wonnacott Planning, acting as planning agent for the applicant, said: “Cornwall Council’s senior development officer considers that the concerns previously made by the Planning Inspectorate have been addressed and overcome by the applicant. The council’s legal officer advised that due to the fact that the car park and pub are in separate ownership, the pub’s success is not dependent on the status of the car park. The development manager stated that it would not be reasonable nor defensible to refuse planning permission. He also advised the committee that it would be difficult to defend any challenge and that there may be costs made against the authority.

“The Planning Committee failed to justify why it has departed from the clear determination of the Planning Inspectorate and acted against the advice of its own legal and planning officers. An appeal has therefore been lodged against the refusal of this application.”