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.

THE operator of a Morrisons branded fuel station in Bodmin has submitted new proposals for the site.

MFG Fuel Group had previously obtained planning permission for a redevelopment of their filling station in Bodmin, which has been operational since the early 1990’s, when it was constructed alongside a Safeway supermarket, now a Morrisons.

The previous proposals had sought permission for the construction of an extension of the sales building, which would have replaced the existing drive-through style automated car wash facility alongside the provision of electric vehicle charging points in the car park of the adjacent Morrisons supermarket as well as related electrical enclosures and plant rooms.

In the new proposals, MFG are seeking permission to offer the provision of three electric vehicle charging points, six electric vehicle charging bays, erection of EV canopy, substation enclosure, LV panel, meter cabinet, four jet wash bays, plant room and associated works.

The applicant told Cornwall Council: “It should be noted that planning reference PA24/04489 relates to a similar application for the removal of the existing car wash and proposed extension to the existing petrol filling station sales building and the creation of an EV charging zone, erection of EV chargers, jet wash bays, sub-station enclosure, LV panel, meter cabinet, plant room and associated works at the Morrisons supermarket car park & petrol station. Permission ref. PA24/04489 was approved in March 2025. This application now excludes the proposed development at the petrol station area and primarily focuses on the provision of electric vehicle chargers and jet wash bays.

“MFG's proposal to install new EV charging points at the Morrisons site should be considered positively in light of the national context and the demand for the necessary infrastructure to support electric vehicle use across the UK.

“The proposals will contribute positively to the existing EV charging network, to the benefit of those utilising the strategic highway network surrounding the application site. The proposals will enhance the existing offer at the site, without compromising the efficient operation of the facility.”

AN application seeking outline planning permission for an affordable led rural exception site development for up to nine dwellings on land at Park Farm, Hobbacott Lane, Marhamchurch, Bude has been withdrawn.

The application was originally submitted in 2024, and later subject to further consultation after amendments to the application were made.

If the application had progressed, it would have seen the provision of nine affordable dwellings on the land, with the level of affordability depending on economic viability of doing so.

In the proposals, it was stated: “The application site is currently an enclosed parcel of agricultural land to the immediate west of the range of farm buildings at Park Farm. Existing residential development adjoins the south and west sides of the site. As a result, the site is enclosed on three sides, with the remaining north boundary being defined by an established hedgebank.

“Marhamchurch is a sizeable settlement with various facilities and services including a primary school, public house and village shop. All are within safe walking distance from the site as are bus stops, including routes direct to Bude. The site is not located within any designated or locally defined landscape. It does not lie in any Flood Zones or Critical Drainage Areas as defined by the Environment Agency.

“In response to the local housing need figures, the proposed scheme is for an affordable housing led (up to 100 per cent affordable provision subject to economic viability) development of up to 9 dwellings. Given the proposed numbers accord with the evidenced need (as per the Homechoice Housing Register), no further local survey of housing need has been undertaken.

“The proposed number of dwellings is appropriate in scale to the size of the settlement as well as the identified local housing need. As the local housing need has been evidenced, the provision of an affordable housing led development (of up to nine dwellings) adjacent to Marhamchurch fully accords with Policy nine and is appropriate in scale to the settlement size.

“It also provides an important contribution to rural housing delivery, particularly considering the declared and ongoing housing crisis in Cornwall.”

When an application is withdrawn, no reason is usually given for doing so.

Comments from the parish council in the area, specifically Marhamchurch Parish Council were cautiously supportive, with the council stating: “In spite of the reservations of the Planning Officer in the advice given in response to PA23/00841/PREAPP and the guarded support of the Affordable Housing Team, MPC continues to support this application in principle.

“MPC would however reiterate their request for approval to be on the basis of affordable housing only. According to CC's Homechoice Local Connections register there are currently nine householders requiring five one-bed, three two-bed and one three-bed accommodation in the parish of Marhamchurch. Of this, four householders are over the age of 55 requiring three one-bed and one two-bed accommodation.

“MPC would request a condition that the affordable housing requirements of Marhamchurch be addressed by this rural exception site application. Three voted in favour. Two abstained.”

Of the four comments received from members of the public, three were objections relating to overlooking and privacy in two instances, while a third related to highway safety.