Planning: Approval given to re-use by owners for accommodation

EVERY week, hundreds of planning applications are submitted to Cornwall Council’s planning department, seeking approval for various schemes across the Duchy.

These plans can cover a number of different rationales, ranging from permission to replace windows or listed building consent to large house building developments or change of use of a building, for example an office to a cafe or flats.

Within this large and often complex system, there are a number of formats from which advice and planning approval can be sought.

These range from full applications where all the details including a proposed development or works to a building are submitted, to outline applications, where further details have yet to be confirmed, for example an application general with matters reserved for appearance may not confirm the final proposed development, but rather ask for permission in principle.

An example of this is that of outline permission for 20 dwellings on land with matters reserved for appearance and scale; reserved matters would require additional permission later for inclusion.

Other types of applications include pre-application advice requests, where potential developers often submit outline proposals to a local authority to check whether or not they are likely to get support before submitting a planning application .

The vast majority of applications are decided by planning officers employed by a local authority with ‘delegated powers’, meaning they do so on behalf of their employer, but some applications are ‘summoned’ by local councilors to be discussed at the strategic point of an area. planning committee meeting, that is, the final decision rests with a committee of aldermen.

PERMISSION has been approved for the reversal of self-catering accommodation at a property in Looe.

The application, submitted by Mrs Sarah Adcock, relates to the Calico property, Marine Drive, West Looe, currently used as a guest house which was granted planning permission in 2017 to include self-catering rooms.

They told Cornwall Council their reasons for wanting to roll back the rooms, saying: “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has since caused what appears to have been a short-term boom in the local tourism industry and during a period of unprecedented competition in the demand for holiday accommodation in Cornwall.

“However, since the pandemic has passed, the wealth of new holiday accommodation units and a number of summers of below-average temperatures and, again, unprecedented rainfall have put enormous pressure on the industry.This has resulted in a combination of a drastic increase in supply and a drastic decrease in demand.

“The rental rooms will become bedrooms for use by the Owner, and the kitchen unit, a games room. In addition, the applicant wishes to extend upwards above an existing flat roof section to provide a modest additional double bedroom for its own use.

The Council granted conditional approval, stating: “Notwithstanding the approved plans, the first floor window serving a private bathroom within the north east elevation of the first floor extension hereby approved shall have a opaque glass at least Pilkington level 5 or equivalent and closed below 1.7 m.”

PLANNING permission has been refused by Cornwall Council’s planning department for a replacement garage on a historic property in Gunnislake.

Toby Truman applied to the local authority to demolish a dilapidated garage and replace it with a double-sized garage with a pitched roof.

In an attached heritage statement, the history of the property was described. He stated: Glebe House is in the Tamar Valley Mining District World Heritage Site. Built in the late 18th or early 19th century, the east-facing gable end was altered to include a large fireplace with a lead oven, supported by records listing it as a dwelling in the census of 1815

“The present kitchen, believed to have been added in the 19th century, was originally a shop with a hatch opening onto Hoopers Lane. The proposed project involves the demolition of the existing disused garage building and the rebuilding of a detached double garage with pitched roof, intended to serve as an auxiliary to Glebe House.

“The proposed materials will be traditional and supportive of the host home, the local area and the historical character of the Tamar Valley. Nearby are mining-related structures such as Clitters Mine and Greenhill Works.

“The proposed garage will be located in the center of the plot and will not be visible from the wider environment. In conclusion, this small and discreet building will integrate seamlessly with the World Heritage Site of the Tamar Valley Mining District and, using traditional materials, will not detract from the heritage site or any assets.”

However, this was not a view shared by others.

In its response to the consultation, Calstock Parish Council said: “The Parish Council supports this application but notes the concerns of local residents about overcrowding and views.”

The WHS (World Heritage) planning board also responded, adding: “We have reviewed the information submitted and are not opposed in principle to a replacement garage here.

“However, the WHS office is concerned that the proposed garage is very large, with an unconventional and somewhat gimmicky design that does little to reflect the local distinctiveness and is more in the look and scale of a small detached house rather than an incidental building related to the functions of the shelter.

“A smaller, more conventionally designed garage would probably suit this section of the WHS better.

“Damage to any attribute of Outstanding Universal Value (International Importance) within the World Heritage site risks losing that status for the entire designated property in Cornwall and West Devon.”

In a report accompanying the refusal, the urban planning officer noted: “This request requests authorization for the construction of a replacement garage. The replacement garage would be spread over two floors, with a garage and toilet on the ground floor and a workshop area on the first floor.

“Due to the rising levels of the site, ground level access could be achieved on both levels. The ground floor elevation features a garage door and window, with the side elevations each having a door of pedestrian access and another window to the west.The first floor level on the elevation facing the road has a steeply pitched roof with solar panels.

“The rear elevation has double/French doors with windows to either side. There is also a large first floor window to the west elevation of the first floor. The garage space and ground floor WC would measure 39, 05 m² and the workshop space on the first floor would measure 42.89 m². The building would have a total area of ​​81.94 m2.

“The lot is occupied by an existing garage. The garage is one story with an almost flat roof with a slight slope. The garage also contains a toilet. As it exists, the garage has a useful surface of 30.71m2. The site is on Hoopers Lane, a narrow unclassified road that climbs the hill to the west.

“The north side of Hoopers Lane, where the site is located, is characterized by older, more traditional style dwellings. To the south of Hoopers Lane are more modern dwellings, varying between bungalows and two-storey dwellings. They are set back from Hoopers Lane through private landscaped areas.”

In rejecting the application, the council’s planning department said: “Due to its poor design due to its prominence within the street scene, bulky form and ground floor massing, the proposal would unduly detract from the character and appearance of Hoopers Lane.Furthermore, the proposal would have a detrimental impact on the landscape and scenic beauty of the Tamar Valley National Landscape and the historic landscape of the Tamar Valley World Heritage Site.

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