EACH week, hundreds of 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.

Proposals have been submitted to Cornwall Council to demolish a car wash at a service station and replace it with multiple new features.

If approved, the automated car wash at the Morrisons branded service station on Priory Road in the town would be dismantled and replaced with electric car charging points, an extended service station building and multiple self-serve style jet wash bays.

The installation would comprise of four electric vehicle charging points, eight electric vehicle parking bays, five jet wash bays, two parking bays, two air/water and vacuum units, and an extension to the sales building.

The proposed electric charging bays and jet wash facilities would take over a portion of the car park at the adjacent Morrisons supermarket car park, with the loss of 31 parking bays.

The removal of the existing automated car wash would allow for the expansion of the sales building with a bin store being located in the present location of the existing car hoovering and air/water facility.

In a covering letter attached to the plans, the agents for Motor Fuel Group (MFG) which acquired the station said: “The proposals relate to the provision of 4 no. electric vehicle charging points, 8 no. electric vehicle parking bays, 5 no. jet wash bays, 2 no. parking bays, 2 no. air/water and vacuum units and bays and an extension to the existing petrol filling station's sales building.

“MFG’s proposal to install new EV charging points and extend the existing sales area at the Morrisons site should be considered positively in light of the national context and the demand for the necessary infrastructure to support electric vehicle use across the UK. The proposals would contribute positively to the existing EV charging network, to the benefit of those utilising the strategic highway network surrounding the application site. The proposals will enhance the existing offer at the site, without compromising the efficient operation of the facility.

“The proposals do not raise any concerns regarding adverse impact on amenity / conflict in terms of surrounding land uses. The proposed area will be well-lit and does not raise any concerns from anti- social behaviour / natural surveillance perspective.

“In terms of design, the proposed EV charging area has been carefully planned to positively integrate with the existing site operation. The charging facility offers a modern design approach, which is uncluttered and fit for purpose. The proposals will be Equalities Act compliant, offering dropped kerbs and other associated measures to ensure equal ease of access for all.

“In terms of retail planning policies, the sequential and impact tests do not apply as the small kiosk offer is purely ancillary to the main use as a petrol filling station, which is not a 'main town centre use' (as defined in the National Planning Policy Framework) - petrol filling stations do not fall within the Class E(a) shop use, being listed in the Use Classes Order 1987 (as amended) as a sui generis use. There should therefore be no mandatory requirement to assess the impact of the larger kiosk. In respect of the sequential test, again the land use is sui generis not a shop use, but in any event given any extension of the kiosk is intended to provide an improved offer to customers using the petrol filling station, it is site specific and clearly could not be located on a separate site.”

Bodmin Town Council said it objected to the proposal on the site of the impact on highway safety. Responding to the consultation, the council’s planning committee said: “Bodmin Town Council Planning Committee do not support this application based on the following non material planning conditions: Highways safety, traffic and parking issues, drainage and flood risks which are all covered within the NPPF Section B 114 suitable and safe access. Committee would also like some feedback from highways to confirm they have carried out a feasibility study which recognises that the water issues and the increase in traffic volume has been considered prior to permission being granted.”

The plans can be viewed on the Cornwall Council planning portal under reference PA24/04489.

A change of use application for the conversion of a barn to a dwelling house in Camelford has been approved by Cornwall Council’s planning department.

The permission was three years in the waiting for the applicants, with the plans originally submitted in April 2021 for the buildings adjacent to 2 Trefrew Road, Camelford.

Camelford Town Council had objected to the plans, stating: “Camelford Town Council resolved to Object to this application. The proposed development is outside the CTC NDP development boundary, the footprint is 50% per cent larger, the topography of the site would means that any sewage overflow would drain into the River Camel; as there is no access to mains sewage.”

Natural England insisted on a condition of approval being that the existing septic tank was to be removed from the existing dwelling of Germoe Cottage and replaced with a PTP with no chemical dosing to serve both the existing and proposed dwelling the proposal, amid ongoing concerns of the impact of phosphate levels in the River Camel Special Area of Conservation.

They added: “We advise that an appropriate planning condition or obligation is attached to any planning permission to secure these measures. A lack of objection does not mean that there are no significant environmental impacts. Natural England advises that all environmental impacts and opportunities are fully considered and relevant local bodies are consulted.”

Cornwall Council approved the proposals subject to a number of conditions, one of which was that requested by Natural England.

Other conditions of approval included the installation of bat, bird and bee boxes, that no changes or additions to the plans can be made without securing further additional planning approval from Cornwall Council and that it cannot be occupied until the agreed to drainage solution is installed and approved.

Keep up to date with the latest planning applications and other statutory notices (such as alcohol licensing and probates) that affect where you live by visiting our online Public Notice Portal – be the first to know by visiting www.publicnoticeportal.uk/cornish-and-devon-post-series