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 nine bed sheltered accommodation unit in Bude could be transformed into flats if plans are approved by Cornwall Council.

Innova Property Ltd is seeking to turn Abbeyfield House, located on 8 Burn View, Bude from the sheltered accommodation unit it has been used for into six self contained flats.

It had previously been used as a sheltered accommodation centre by The Abbeyfield Society until its closure in 2023 along with the charity’s other properties in Devon and Cornwall.

The change of use application, if approved would also include the removal of the front porch, the removal of an external rear staircase, two replacement rear dormers, two conservation rooflights to the front elevation and fenestration alterations to the rear outrigger.

It told Cornwall Council: “The application site comprises a mid-terraced residential building, most recently in use as sheltered housing for the elderly. It provided nine-ensuite letting rooms and communal facilities across 324sqm of gross internal floor space. There is a forecourt front garden, and a two-storey outrigger to the rear, with limited outdoor space as a result. An infill glazed porch has been erected between the two front bays, and there are three dormers to the rear roof. The site measures 260sqm.

“The external works principally comprise the removal of external stairs and the glazed porch, replacement of two of the three existing dormers (to the right and left) designed to match the retained central dormer, minor adjustments to windows and doors, and the re-rendering of the front elevation.

“Internally, the scheme proposes six flats, with two on the ground floor (one one-bedroom, one two-bedroom), three on the first floor (all one-bedroom), and one on the second floor (one bedroom).”

The applicant explained that its application represented the most viable use for the building, with an accompanying report from the agent responsible for selling the property stating that of 31 enquiries, none sought to retain the sheltered accommodation and only one went to offer, which would have seen it used as a family dwelling but this fell through.

The application, which will be considered by Cornwall Council, can be viewed using reference PA26/02221.

AN application seeking to establish a permission in principle for the construction of a dwelling near to a commonly flooded area of Bodmin has been approved despite the concerns of residents.

It concerned land to the North West of Flaxmoor Terrace in Bodmin, a residential area next to Bodmin Jail that has often been associated with flooding over the years – to the point where the area has historically been called ‘Watery Lane’ locally.

The permission in principle (PiP) consent route is an alternative way of obtaining planning permission for housing-led development which separates the consideration of matters of principle for proposed development from the technical detail of the development.

It is a consent route which has two stages: the first stage (or PiP stage) establishes whether a site is suitable in principle and the second, known as the technical details consent stage is when the detailed development proposals are assessed.

While a permission in principle has been granted, a full planning permission through the granting of a technical details consent will be required for it to be permitted – and it is at this point where there would be a full assessment of the proposals.

Giving approval to the application, Cornwall Council’s planners concluded: “It is considered that the principle of the development of this land for the construction of a single dwelling is acceptable in accordance with the aims and intentions of policies 1, 2, 3 and 21 of the Cornwall Local Plan. However, the site must receive a grant of technical details consent before the development can proceed.

“The granting of technical details consent has the effect of granting planning permission for the development. Technical details consent can be obtained following submission of a valid application to the local planning authority. An application for technical details consent must be in accordance with the approved details specified within the said 'Permission in Principle'.”

PLANS that could see the use of agricultural land for use as a commercial storage container facility are unlikely to be supported.

Mr R Jackson made a pre-application advice enquiry to Cornwall Council seeking its views on whether using agricultural land to the south of Tregolds Farm, Tregolds Lane, Shop, Padstow would be acceptable if it was a full planning application.

Pre-application advice was sought for proposed use of land for the siting of commercial storage containers.

Alongside the change of use of land, the development would include the creation of a new vehicular access along the southern boundary of the site, the provision of hardstanding areas and the siting of approximately 67 storage container units.

Opening hours were anticipated to range from 7am to 4pm and 8pm (winter period and summertime, respectively) and access to the storage facilities would be via a coded gated entrance.

However, the council said this was unlikely to be approved.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

The planning officer told the applicant: “In summary, as discussed during the telephone conversation, the principle of the proposed change of use from agricultural land to commercial storage container facility and associated operation development is unlikely to receive support at an Officer level as it conflicts with the spatial strategy set out in the development plan for new employment land and uses, and no material considerations indicate that the development plan should not be followed. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the loss of visual amenity and harm to the landscape character of the area.”