AN application has been submitted to change the types of houses being built at land north of Upper Chapel in Launceston.

The original plans, submitted by Hallam Land Management for 100 houses and an extension to Launceston graveyard, received some backlash with a public appeal being held. This was won by Hallam who later applied for 40 more houses, which, despite opposition from Cornwall Council and Launceston Town Council, was eventually overturned by the planning inspectorate and approved — bringing the site to its current total of 140.

The site has now been purchased from Hallam by Barratt David Wilson Homes who have submitted an application to Cornwall Council’s planning department to amend the house types to be built.

A Cornwall Council spokesperson confirmed: “The applicant Barratt David Wilson Homes has now acquired the site from Hallam Land Management Ltd. There is already planning approval in place to build 140 homes. This latest planning application is requesting that some of the house types can be changed. If approved, all other aspects of the scheme would remain as already approved.”

Barratt Homes believe this will be a positive development for the town as they say it will bring 400 jobs to the area in what they call a ‘significant economic boost’.

The new development, called ‘Chapel Gate’, will provide jobs for a range of trades during the construction and sales phases and it is hoped those roles will ‘mostly be filled by local people’.

Sales director Sara Parker said: “We know that those who move to our developments are likely to spend the money they earn in local shops and on nearby services, so it’s not only the jobs market here that will see a positive effect of these new homes. We’re delighted the introduction of our new developments is having such a major impact on the local economy in the south west. Not only does it mean an increase in the number of much-needed homes, the local economy is benefitting too.”

The latest application was validated on January 21 and is due to be determined by April 22. Barratt Homes have said work is ‘due to start soon’ on the development of 140 new homes.

The Post contacted St Thomas Parish Council to but they did not wish to make a comment.

The application was discussed at Launceston Town Council’s planning committee meeting last week.

Committee chairman, Cllr Rob Tremain said: “We were dead against the building. It’s going ahead. We want to make sure it’s the best for the people who are going to live there.”

Councillors were shown the site lay-out, and Cllr Tremain said: “It’s for good reasons rather than they want to put a cheaper house in.”

Cllr Brian Hogan asked what happened about the council’s previous query into the site access.

Clerk to the council, Mr Christopher Drake, said Barratt Homes had been in contact and made assurances there would be a separate access for the cemetery, and parking would be included for this. The hedge is to be secluded from the houses.

Councillors voted in favour of supporting the application, with the condition that the cemetery access agreement is adhered to.

Mayor, Cllr Margaret Young, added: “It still worries me about getting to and fro St John’s is horrendous. It’s not for us to make that decision because it’s already gone through.”