AN APPLICANT whose planning permission application was refused by Cornwall Council for two dwellings near Bodmin has submitted an appeal against the decision.

Mr Jonathan Jenkins had applied to the local authority for outline planning permission with all matters reserved for up to two new residential dwellings on his property known as ‘land west of The Oaks, Fletchersbridge Hill, Cardinham, Bodmin’.

Cornwall Council refused the application on grounds on perceived ecological harm and that, in its view, the proposal would create unsustainable new dwellings in the open countryside, which it said was in conflict with the spatial strategy of the development plan.

Further, it added that in its view, the introduction of two new dwellings would harm the ‘undeveloped character of the site and the wider character and distinctive landscape qualities of the Mid-Fowey area of great landscape value.

In his statement of case document stating his reasons for wishing to appeal, Mr Jenkins outlined three reasons why he believes the development should go ahead.

He responded to Cornwall Council by stating that he would provide an ecology report if required, but he hadn’t been asked to provide one during the initial application or if it had been defined as a condition of any approval. He said he would also consider ‘enhancing the net gain for biodiversity’ by providing offset habitat.

Mr Jenkins also refuted the council’s refusal on grounds of sustainability, stating that he would be willing to include an affordable component to the development if requested, adding that in his view, the development should be classed as ‘in-fill’ as it would be surrounded on three sides by plots of land occupied by dwellings and occupied landscapes.

In his final point, the applicant said that the consultee response over concerns on traffic level would not be significant on the area with the two dwellings. He argued that approved developments in close proximity, including a two-storey school, crematorium and other ‘notably larger approvals’ would have more of an impact on the net traffic than his proposal, adding that the location was close to the A38, and sustainable transport such as Bodmin Parkway railway station.

At a recent Bodmin Town Council planning committee meeting, held on March 27, the council opted to maintain its existing objection to the proposed scheme, which stated: “Bodmin Town Council DO NOT to support this application based on the following: The development is not an infill scheme by definition and more akin to a low-density straggle.

There was concern over the increase in the level of traffic and would not like important services i.e. the crematorium and new school to be impacted as a result and would therefore like Cornwall Council to conduct a traffic impact study on the area.”