EACH week, hundreds of planning applications come before Cornwall Council’s planning department, seeking to win approval for various plans right across the Duchy, with some concerning Holsworthy handled by Torridge District Council.

These plans can comprise of a number of different reasonings– ranging from permission to replace windows or listed building consent ranging up to large house building developments or changing of use of a building, for instance, from an office to a café, or flats.

Within this large and often complex system, there are a number of formats from which planning advice and approval can be sought.

These range from full applications where all the details which comprise a proposed development or work to a building are submitted, to outline applications, where further details are yet to be confirmed, for example, an outline application with reserved matters for appearance may not confirm the final proposed development but rather seek permission in principle.

An example of this is one for an outline permission for 20 dwellings on land with reserved matters for appearance and scale; the reserved matters would require further permission later for their inclusion.

Other types of applications include pre-application advice requests, where would-be developers submit often outline proposals to a local authority to ascertain whether it is likely to gain support or not prior to submitting a planning application.

The vast majority of applications are decided by planning officers employed by a local authority under ‘delegated powers’, meaning they do so on behalf of their employer, however, some applications are ‘called in’ by local councillors to be discussed at an area’s strategic planning committee meeting, meaning the final decision rests with a committee of councillors.

A FORMER mission hall could be set for a meeting with the wrecking ball if plans submitted to Cornwall Council are approved.

The Hollabury Mission Hall has been left vacant for a number of years – and like many mission halls of its era is made from a predominantly wooden structure.

The land on which it sits, located at Hollabury Road, Bude is also the site of a number of allotments. It is understood that the majority of these would be retained if the plans to demolish the mission hall and build up to two dwellings on the land is approved.

In the planning application, the agent for the applicant said: “The existing Mission Hall is a simple timber structure of considerable age and is now in very poor

condition. The building: is of lightweight wooden construction, contains asbestos, is structurally deteriorated and beyond reasonable repair and is not suitable for conversion or retention.

“Historically, the building was owned by The Hollabury Mission Hall Trust and held on their behalf by church society. The property has since been sold on the open market and is no longer held for its former community purpose.”

“A significant portion of the site is currently given over to community allotments. The proposal will retain the majority of the allotment land, result in the loss of only two allotment plots to create appropriate garden amenity space and ensure the continued operation and viability of the allotment use.

“Neighbourhood engagement has taken place. The Allotment Society supports the proposal, and the local Town Councillor has expressed support.

“Community benefit is therefore maintained, with only minimal and agreed reconfiguration of the allotment area.

“The proposal represents sustainable development within the built-up area of the settlement, replaces a redundant building with efficient use of previously developed land, retains existing community use (allotments), aligns with Cornwall Local Plan policies supporting infill/replacement housing where scale, context, and amenity are appropriate.

“The existing Mission Hall is no longer viable, is structurally unsound, and contains asbestos. Its replacement represents a logical and sustainable reuse of previously developed land within the built envelope of the settlement.

“The applicant is a local resident with strong ties to the community and one of the proposed dwellings will be delivered as a self-build home for the owner. This personal commitment to the site supports the careful integration and management of the development, whilst reinforcing the ongoing benefit of the allotments to the wider community.”

THE redevelopment of a former Chinese takeaway to residential use in Bodmin has been approved by Cornwall Council.

Nottle Construction Ltd sought the council’s approval to change the use of the former Oriental Chinese Takeaway on Higher Bore Street in the town to residential units.

It will see the property divided into two one-bedroom flats in addition to one three-bedroom dwelling.

As well as a change of use, the development would see the historic building frontage rebuilt in a similar stonework to the rest of the building, with the UPVC windows replaced with wooden framed ones of a period design and the removal of a UPVC shop frontage.

Cornwall Council’s planning department said the proposals would conserve and enhance the property, and while it does not fully satisfy the Cornwall Local Plan, the benefits of the scheme outweigh this.

The officer who approved the proposal stated: “The proposed works to the building are considered to conserve and enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and the proposals therefore accord with Policy 24 of the Cornwall Local Plan and special regard has been had to the safeguarding of the heritage assets in accordance with Section 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

“The evidence provided is not considered robust enough to fully satisfy the requirements of Policy 5(2) (iv) of the Cornwall Local Plan. However, given the aims of the NPPF to locate hot food takeaways away from schools and the Government's intention to encourage residential uses in town centre locations it is considered that any residual policy conflict with policy five is minor and is given limited weight in the overall planning balance and is outweighed by the benefits of the scheme which includes the provision of two new residential units within a housing crisis in this sustainable location (from a public transport and accessibility perspective).

“In light of this, the proposal is considered to accord with the provisions of the development plan when read as a whole and amounts to sustainable development when considered in light of material considerations including the provisions of the NPPF. Taking these factors into account, it is considered that the proposal is acceptable, subject to conditions. All other matters raised have been taken into account, but none are of such significance as to outweigh the considerations that have led to the conclusion.”

Planning approval was granted subject to two additional conditions. One of these concerned the provision of bat and bird boxes with no occupation of the dwellings permitted until such a scheme is submitted and approved by Cornwall Council.

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The other condition addresses concern from a resident over drainage, with water run off being discharged into the existing combined sewer. No occupation of any dwelling is permitted until the existing area of hardstanding is replaced with a permeable grass finish.