RESIDENTS who objected to proposals for the construction of 47 dwellings on the outskirts of Wadebridge have been left disappointed after Cornwall Council approved the proposals.

Cornwall Council had been reviewing an outline planning application for a proposed residential development on land to the north of Joymond on Trevanson Road, Wadebridge.

The application was made by Messrs Michael, Tim and John Bryant who sought to construct the houses on the land, with 14 of the properties set to be two-bedroomed affordable homes.

The applicant’s planning agent detailed the proposals for the site, stating: “A tenure-blind mix is proposed, comprising of 47 dwellings over three site areas, including 14 x semi-detached two bed affordable homes in Area C.

“These will also meet the one-bed need, meaning that the mix meet the predominant need for Wadebridge as identified by applicants on the HomeChoice register. There are 16 open market flats in Area B and 17 open market houses and flats in Area A.

“We acknowledge there may be a degree of need for 3-bed dwellings, it could be possible through negotiation to reconfigure a pair of two-bedroom semi-detached dwellings as three-bedroom homes if affordable dwellings sited in the Area C as the Illustrative Site Plan.

“All dwellings achieve NDSS space standards and each have private amenity space and parking.

“The affordable homes are aligned to the requirements of Parish applicants on the Council’s Home Choice register and will be delivered in partnership with a Registered Provider following an Expression of Interest exercise at Reserved Matters.”

29 residents raised a number of objections to the proposed development, citing concerns over increased traffic, inadequate road access and highway safety, particularly along Trevanson Road, Westerlands Road and Elmsleigh Road.

They warned that narrow roads, blind bends and limited visibility could create hazards for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, while additional surface water runoff could put pressure on existing drainage infrastructure.

Other concerns include the density and height of the proposed buildings, a lack of green space and play areas, potential impacts on the Camel Trail and local wildlife, and insufficient consideration of the surrounding area in the scheme’s design.

While acknowledging the need for more housing, some of the objectors said the proposals represented overdevelopment and questioned whether the site could be accessed safely and sustainably. Some also criticised the lack of community engagement ahead of the application.

However, Cornwall Council approved the proposals subject to a number of conditions, stating: “When balancing the considerations, your officers give significant and substantial weight to the benefits associated with increasing housing supply in a sustainable location well connected to a Main Town which would help to promote an effective use of land, encourage sustainable modes of travel and secure a well-designed place.

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“Any harm associated with the development does not significantly and demonstrably outweigh these benefits and proposal itself is considered to comply to the development plan, particularly when its housings policies are out of date and given very limited weight, and the NPPF when read as a whole. This application is accordingly recommended for approval.”