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.

AN application seeking the siting of six holiday accommodation units and two shepherd huts, with associated access, servicing and landscaping.

It concerns land to the north of Whalesborough Bungalow, in Marhamchurch Bude.

The land that is subject to the application adjoins an existing holiday complex at Whalesborough Farm.

The applicant told Cornwall Council: “The application site forms part of the established Whalesborough Farm complex, located in the north-east of Cornwall approximately 2.5km south of Bude.

“The wider site, trading as Whalesborough Farm Holiday Cottages and Spa, comprises a cluster of former and existing agricultural buildings that have been converted or adapted for tourism uses. The complex is situated near the village of Marhamchurch.

“The site continues to operate in part as a working farm, while also accommodating a substantial, high-quality holiday complex.

“Over time, the holding has evolved into a mixed-use destination through a series of planning permissions that have facilitated contemporary, well-designed tourism development.

“The complex now offers a diverse range of holiday accommodation alongside a food & beverage facility, and a modern leisure facility comprising a swimming pool, gym, and spa.”

“This application seeks planning permission for the siting of six holiday lodges and two shepherd’s huts for use as holiday accommodation. The proposed development would be located within a currently undeveloped and underutilised field within the wider site known as the Animal Field.

“This is due to its current use as a field for the keeping of animals such as pigs and alpacas. The land, whilst been grassed in part, is taken to a more intensive agricultural use than a typical grazing field, with paraphernalia such a field shelters, feeding troughs, fencing and hay bales spread across the land.

As set out within the submitted plans, the proposed holiday lodges and shepherd’s huts have been selected to reflect the company’s continued ethos of providing an immersive outdoor experience. The design of the units seeks to maximise natural light while incorporating materials and finishes that reflect the surrounding landscape. The overall design approach seeks to reflect the local vernacular, with a layout that focuses on the clustering of units and integration with the wider park setting. The material palette available for the proposed units follow the local appearance and style of the resort and indeed the Cornish surroundings.

It should be noted that the holiday lodges proposed, all meet the legal definition of a caravan as provided within the statutory definition in the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 as supplemented by the Caravan Sites Act 1968. The units would further be made off-site and be brought on to site in two pieces by lorry or transport vehicle to sit on either a concrete base or ground screws. Units will also be manufactured to British Standard BS/EN 3632.

“The units proposed do not in any way resemble the conventional image of a caravan and instead are bespoke, modular and high-quality units which enhance the prestige and renown of the Whalesborough Resort and Spa. However, can be constructed in a sustainable close factory environment and placed on the land avoiding the need for heavy excavation and land alteration, instead being sat upon the land in a less invasion manner.”

The full proposals can be viewed on the Cornwall Council planning portal using reference PA26/02895.

AN application seeking the conversion of the redundant agricultural barn into a dwelling on land at Pyworthy has been submitted to Torridge District Council.

It concerns an agricultural building at Jacobs Creek Campsite in Pyworthy.

In documents submitted to the council, the applicant stated: “The barn at Jacobs Creek is a pent roofed steel portal framed building with openings in the south and eastern elevations.

“The building is timber clad under a steel profile roof. Internally, the building is constructed using a three bay steel framed portal.

“Originally constructed in 2011 the barn has been used for hay feed and fodder and in latter years as a livestock shed. Under this proposal, the existing access will remain the same and parking will also remain the same.

“Under this proposal the building will be converted into a three bedroomed one bathroom home with an open plan living cooking eating space. The proposed main entrance will open into the open up into a hallway with a cloakroom on the left and a door into the hall.

“From the hall, a doorway opens up into the main living space. All three zones, kitchen, dining and living room, have ample light with bi‐fold doors that open up from the living room to the outside space.

“A door from the kitchen leads into a rear hall with doors leading off into each of the bedrooms and the bathroom. To the outside, the building will be clad with vertical timber under a zinc roof.

“The windows and doors will be of anthracite grey UPVC construction. The access from the highway remains unchanged as does parking arrangements for this application.”

The full proposals can be viewed on the Torridge District Council planning portal using reference 1/0275/2026/FUL.

AN application seeking the extension of a dung storage building near Holsworthy has been permitted by Torridge District Council.

The application concerned Langadon Farm, Sutcombe, Holsworthy, EX22 7QQ.

The applicant told Torridge District Council: “The building is designed to extend the existing dung storage building to keep rainwater contamination to a minimum as recommended and approved by the Environmental Protection Officer subject to planning permission for a Natural England grant due to its vicinity in a catchment sensitive area.”

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