CONSULTATION has begun on a document looking at the proposed location for housing and commercial development up to 2030 in Launceston.

Cornwall Council’s six-week public consultation started on Monday, October 3, seeking views on the Site Allocations Development Plan Document (Allocations DPD).

As well as housing and commercial development, the Allocations DPD also examines how infrastructure can be improved so that proposed growth can be supported and managed.

Launceston is one of the towns covered by the document.

The authority said the ‘strategies for these communities have been prepared with support from local representatives and this consultation is asking for the views of local residents to help shape the final strategy’.

The Allocations DPD will set out the policies/sites to deliver the Cornwall Local Plan: Strategic Policies document housing and employment targets.

For Launceston, the targets up to 2030 are the provision of around 1,800 dwellings for Launceston town, and the provision of 14,083sqm of B1a office space and 28,167sqm of industrial space in the Launceston community network area.

The council said while housing delivery is prioritised to the existing urban area, ‘this alone will not cater for the targeted growth, so an urban extension is also required’ — land south of the A388 Tavistock Road, adjacent to the Withnoe site, has been allocated as a site for housing, with 3.6ha in the Kensey Valley allocated for employment space and approximately 60 dwellings, along with a Kensey Valley Link Road, to connect Kensey Valley Meadow to Newport Industrial Estate.

Landlake Road has been identified as a location for future economic growth up to 2030 — Cornwall Council said the site ‘represents a natural extension to the existing Scarne Industrial Estate’.

The document also talks about current ‘capacity problems’ for the town’s primary schools, stating development of the new Hay Common primary school is planned. It also talks about the plans to expand Launceston’s doctors’ surgery.

‘Strategic highway improvements’ included in the Allocations DPD include a ‘Southern Loop Road’ — although the full development of this is not required by 2030. This road, that would link the A388 Tavistock Road to the existing Link Road, would be constructed in stages as land is developed in the future.

On retail, the Allocations DPD states: “It is important for Launceston that future retail is focused towards the town centre, with a resistance against out of town development that would negatively impact upon the core of the town. Whilst there are limited opportunities to provide large footprint stores within the town centre, there are smaller redevelopment opportunities that would also support the regeneration of the town centre.”

Cornwall Council cabinet member for planning Edwina Hannaford said: “We want to take a proactive approach to the future growth and regeneration of our communities. The Allocations DPD will represent an important tool in helping to determine future planning applications in these locations. This is an opportunity for residents to get involved and help shape the strategy for their town.”

The public consultation runs for six weeks — the deadline for responses is Monday, November 14.

The Allocations DPD can be viewed on the council’s website at www.cornwall.gov.uk/allocationsplan, where you can also complete an online questionnaire.

The document and questionnaires will also be available at Launceston Library and One-Stop-Shop on Bounsalls Lane.

Residents can also provide feedback to the consultation by emailing [email protected] or sending responses to: Allocations DPD, Cornwall Council, Dolcoath Avenue, Camborne, TR14 8SX.