An outline application, submitted by Grass Roots Planning Ltd, is for the proposed development of up to 260 dwellings, public open space, allotments, a scout hall, business/community hub, GP surgery and office space.
The town council councillors discussed the proposed development this month. The application had been previously looked at by the planning committee, whose chairman Cllr Bob Willingham was the first to raise concerns by stating that the separation between Bude and Stratton would barely exist if the plans were to go ahead as currently set out.
Cllr Paul Tilzey added: “It’s simply an overdevelopment of the area — we should turn it down.”
Cllr Peter Moores said he would be happy for the town council to resubmit the same objection it made when it responded to the plans for the Binhamy development.
As Cllr Frank Partridge is not a member of the planning committee, he felt the full council had not received enough information on the development to be able to consider approving it, so suggested the objection should be on those grounds, however, town mayor Cllr Lea Deely did not think that would be possible on grounds of planning.
Cllr Lee Bartrop reminded members it was only an outline application: “It’s an outline plan — so they just want to know if we’re for or against it, and to be honest, at this stage we’re not really sure. It’s awkward because it’s such a big development and we don’t know enough about it yet.”
Cllr Deely said: “I’m getting the distinct feeling around the table that we’re not in favour as a body.”
She was greeted with a ‘hear, hear’ from all councillors.
The town council objected with concerns which included the following: Affordable housing is insufficient; parts of the site are outside previously identified development areas; against the wishes of the local community as expressed in the emerging neighbourhood plan; over development; water supply/table/drainage, sewage; infrastructure — school, dentist, GP; insufficient access with vehicles merging onto a known pinch-point.
As well as the objection lodged by the town council, there has been opposition by residents on the Cornwall Council planning website.
Among the objections are infrastructure, wildlife, employment and the volume of traffic that already makes crossing the road at Skitches Corner dangerous.
Matthew Kendrick, director of Grass Roots Planning Ltd, said: “We are disappointed with the town council’s decision to object to this application in view of the extensive pre-application consultations that we undertook with the neighbourhood planning team and the town council.
“This proposal will deliver much needed private and affordable homes that will help address worsening housing affordability issues in the area. It will also provide a valuable opportunity to deliver much needed and long overdue new community facilities as part of this proposal.
“Despite this objection we remain committed to the proposed scheme and delivering those community benefits. We will therefore continue to work with other stakeholders to make them happen.”
The final decision on the outline application rests with Cornwall Council.