CHAIR Cllr Craig Dowler presided over an extraordinary Altarnun council meeting on May 5.

This additional meeting ahead of the slightly delayed annual council meeting, due to town and parish council elections, was busy with the usual business activities including the following five planning applications, which the members agreed to support:

• PA21/02351, a proposed conversion of a former barn to a dwelling and associated works, located on Trekennick House Road from the junction north of Hurden to the junction north east of Penhallow Manor Hotel. Applicants are Mr S Walker and Ms C Templeton.

• PA21/03118, proposed outline application for the erection of two ‘drive thru’ fast food and drink premises on land east of Moor End. Applicant Mr I Scott.

• PA21/02868, proposed agricultural building to cover the existing outside yard area on South Carne Road from the junction north east of Tresmeake to Trekennick, Altarnun. Applicant Mr A Gillbard.

• PA21/03442, proposed alterations and improvements to a dwelling including the installation of solar panels and an air source heat pump, window replacement and the installation of slate cladding at Fairfield Park. Applicant Peter Allen.

• PA21/03650, proposed reserved matters in respect of PA20/09222 dated December 18, 2020, (outline application with some matters reserved for the construction of a dwelling) on land west of Twin Trea, Trewint. Applicant Mr Smith.

Councillors were keen to see developments use renewable and sustainable energy sources and in the case of PA21/03118, recognised this was a great opportunity to create local jobs.

The following decisions, all approved, from the planning authority were also reported: PA20/11348 Applicant: Simon Gillbard Location: Tor View Farm; PA21/01148 Applicant: S Medlicott Location: Penpont Brewery; PA21/01920 Applicant: Mr and Mrs Hallett Location: Tincotts, Altarnun.

Positive news

There was also good news at the meeting as it was reported that the council had received a clean bill of health from its comprehensive internal audit for 2020/21 and the relevant information will now go forward to be audited by the Smaller Authorities Audit Appointments Ltd designated external auditor. The information will be published in due course.

More good news, Altarnun has received a further sum of £2,446.50 under the ‘Community Infrastructure Levy’ scheme and that the funds will be reserved to be spent within the scheme guidelines within the next five years.

On highways matters, the clerk confirmed that the MP for North Cornwall, Scott Mann, was disposed to putting forward the suggested improvements to the Plusha junction as discussed in the April council meeting. The council very much hopes Highways England will be similarly disposed to act.

A member of the public came forward and requested that a Community Speed Watch (CSW) initiative be set up to monitor the road outside of Altarnun Primary School. Ward councillor Adrian Parsons — who continues in the post following the recent election — took swift control and arranged a contact with the Cornwall Council community link officer, and within a matter of hours, the CWS team agreed a meeting at the school to take matters forward.

Altarnun Parish Council was also approached by a member of the public seeking traffic calming measures and or safety measures on the bend east of Jamaica Inn where the west bound A30 exit slip road joins the old A30. The matter was referred to the local highways manager, who, as ever was keen to investigate and will report back to the council in due course.

With immediate effect the parish council will now revert to physical meetings in Altarnun Village Hall following the recent High Court ruling that to meet and make decisions using virtual meeting arrangements is no longer lawful. The parish council’s clerk, Robin Turner, added: “The frequency of future meetings is yet to be determined, but rest assured all the necessary steps to maintain business as usual will be taken as well as ensuring that the village hall will be safe for members of the public to attend should they choose.”