A SITE near Bude formerly used as a commercial premises could be used to offer provision of Gypsy and Traveller pitches if Cornwall Council respond favourably to a pre-application advice request.

The application concerns the site formerly known as the trading premises of A39 Skip Hire, at Dinscott Waste Transfer Site, Stibb Levels, Bude and was submitted by XL Planning on behalf of the landowner, Mr Russell Toghill.

A pre-application advice enquiry is a formal request to a local planning authority (like a council) for an opinion on a proposed development before submitting a full planning application, helping developers understand policies, identify issues (like flood risk, design, or heritage constraints), and improve the chances of success by getting early feedback, often for a fee. It's a way to test the feasibility of ideas, potentially saving time and money later.

Previous pre-application advice enquiries for the land concerned the potential for it to be the location for the construction of up to seven dwellings. However, the council responded by stating that in its view, the site would be too rural a location to represent sustainable development of seven dwellings.

The applicant told Cornwall Council: “The site contains a large area of hard surfacing and a range of commercial buildings which have been extended over time. The site has previously operated as a skip hire site (Bude Skip Hire and then A39 Skip Hire), assuming a mixed B2 and B8 use class.

“The purpose of this pre-application enquiry is for the applicant to obtain advice from the planning authority as to whether the proposed change of use and redevelopment of the site following the demolition of the existing commercial premises could be considered as acceptable prior to the submission of a full planning application for the provision of Gypsy and Traveller pitches.

“The site consists of a large commercial building which has been extended over time and a smaller structure, with a surrounding hardstanding yard. It is considered that the use class of the site will have been a mix of B2 and B8. The business is no longer operating from the site.

“It is considered that the site could accommodate approximately seven pitches, however advice is sought mainly on the principle of the change of use and the provision of the pitches in this location.

“The proposed site could provide a modest and suitable contribution to the council in meeting this shortfall of Gypsy and Traveller pitches. This should be carefully considered in the wider context of the council’s commitment to tackle increasing homelessness across the county.

“Whilst the site may not typically fully accord with all of the development plan policies when considered as a whole, the applicant is seeking advice on whether the material considerations in this case and provision of the pitches would carry sufficient weight to tip the planning balance in favour of an application.”

The next stage in the process will involve Cornwall Council responding to the application advice enquiry, and application documents can be viewed on its planning portal using reference PA25/01207/PREAPP.