A PRE-PLANNING application which would see up to 20 hectares of green land near Launceston concreted and converted into vehicle storage has come under fire from the local community.

Copart, a national organisation which specialises in used and salvage car auctions, has applied for planning permission to use land next to the A30 near Trebursey, Launceston, for vehicle storage.

The application, which has been made on behalf of the company by Planning Prospects, focuses on three parcels of land equating to around 20 hectares of space.

The pre-application letter explains: “The proposed development is for the change of use of the site and further development to allow vehicle storage and distribution (Use Class B8), including hardstanding, landscaping and associated works at land off the A30, Launceston, PL15 7ES.”

“The accompanying proposed site layout shows the details of the proposals that would be achieved on the site. The proposed development enables Copart to provide auction sales of vehicles. Vehicles are brought to site via transporter lorries and unloaded in the receiving bay on a concrete pad.”

The site would be broken down into three sections, ‘Parcel A’, ‘Parcel B’, and ‘Parcel C’.

The application continues: “Once unloaded they are washed in the external wash area and photographs are taken in the photo/wash bay to upload onto Copart’s online auction. The cars are then fork lifted via JCB to the general storage area and parked up. Once customers purchase a vehicle via the online auction they will collect in the loading area.”

The prospect of the application however has caused concern among locals, with many worried about the impact this could have on the local area.

One resident, who lives within touching distance of the development told the Post: “We will be effected hugely by this application, not only by seeing it, hearing it but also the mental and physical impact it will have.

“We have already been informed this could have a big impact, maybe 25 per cent decrease in the value of our property or even worse, will not be mortgageable due to close proximity to commercial and industrial usage. So how on earth is this fair to a working family that purchased this bungalow as a retirement investment or potentially will not be able to sell it.

“The environmental impact this would have is very upsetting with regards to them getting rid off the hedgerows, trees and a lot of green space to be replaced with concrete and metal, in such a rural area. The location for this potential build makes no sense or justification.. there are no shops in the village, all traffic will be coming through the village and we already have a speeding problem and too much traffic coming through, so to add more lorries and cars to that mix, is causing stress and anxiety already!

“These big companies with no limit on their spending should really consider the impact on people's lives and not always think, a cheap piece of land is a good deal, it's not.”

The applicant has been contacted for comment.