UNCLEAR, incomplete and inconclusive were some of the words used by Bude-Stratton councillours to describe the new planning application regarding beach huts at Crooklets, writes Ryan Cox.

The application, submitted by an agent on behalf of Cornwall Council, was discussed at the town council planning committee meeting last night (Thursday) — but having opened the associated documents, it became apparent that the plans showed a different number of beach huts to that which Cornwall Council was proposing.

The application involved the demolition of 26 dilapidated beach huts and replacement with 26 new huts as well as the refurbishment of 41 existing concrete beach huts. Councillors felt that, even though they were happy to see the actions approved, they could not do so on the principle that it was unclear where the erection of all the beach huts mentioned would take place.

Chair Cllr Bob Willingham said: “The application says it is for the erection of 36 beach huts but the plans we’ve been given don’t show that number, so how can we agree to it when there appears to be some missing?

“I don’t want the public to think that by objecting to this application we are against the new beach huts, because we are not, but these plans are incomplete, and they should be resubmitted with all the beach huts included so we can look at them properly.”

Councillors wanted to make sure they had not missed any plans that may show the ‘missing’ ten or so beach huts, but while looking through other documents related to the application, there was a letter to the agent from Cornwall Council’s planning and enterprise service also highlighting the nature of the plans in their current format and asking for further information to be supplied.

The letter states that ‘the site location plans provided are not very clear’ and that ‘a flood risk assessment is required as the proposal site has been identified as being within an area requiring one.’

So far, a response has been submitted with regard to the flood risk assessment and the applicant, having acknowledged that the previous beach huts were in a vulnerable location, has moved the position of the replacement huts to a more sheltered location.

Cllr Willingham proposed that the town council object to the application as the plans are ‘incomplete and inconclusive’. All councillors were in favour.