Fire station welfare extension at Fire Station The Wharf, Bude

What was proposed

A single-storey extension would provide three unisex shower, WC and changing rooms, a drying room and a retained disabled WC.

“Information Classification: PUBLIC 2. The proposal seeks permission for a single-storey extension to the existing Fire Station to provide additional shower, WC and changing room facilities. The facilities are proposed to be unisex, with individual cubicles, to better serve a diverse modern workforce and to allow for improved decontamination following incidents.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The fire station is beside the canal and public car park, within the conservation area, near the listed Bark House and in Flood Zone 3.

“The application site is located within the Lower Wharf area of Bude, adjacent to a public thoroughfare alongside the canal and the public car park. The site lies within the Bude Conservation Area and Flood Zone 3 and is occupied by the existing Bude Community Fire Station. While the Fire Station itself is not a listed building, it lies adjacent to the Grade II listed Bark House and within a sensitive historic and waterside environment.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the extension supports an essential community service and its public benefits outweigh limited heritage harm.

“Policy 4 of the Cornwall Local Plan supports the retention and enhancement of community facilities, and the proposed development would deliver clear functional and operational benefits to an essential public service.”

“While the proposal will result in a degree of harm to the setting of the Bark House due to the reduced separation between buildings, this harm has been identified as less than substantial. In accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework, this harm must be weighed against the public benefits of the scheme.”

Officer report

The main planning issues

The assessment considered the extension’s effects on heritage, flood risk, ecology, contamination, neighbours, highways and parking.

“27.In December 2004, the Government made changes to the Standard Housing Methodology, resulting in the Council being unable to demonstrate a 5 year housing supply. As a result of this, Cornwall is now subject to the presumption in favour of sustainable development, or the titled balance,which means that some of our policies relating to housing supply are out of date.”

“Information Classification: PUBLIC Ecology The Impact Risk Zones for Sites of Special Scientific Interest Biodiversity Netgain Contaminated Land 29.Due to the location, single storey scale and form of the proposed extension, it is not considered the development will have an adverse impact on the living conditions of nearby neighbours. Neither will the proposed development have any impacts on highway safety or parking provision.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The town council had no objection, environmental protection supported a contamination condition, heritage officers accepted the design with matching materials, and the Environment Agency had no comment.

“Information Classification: PUBLIC Policy 26 Flood risk management and coastal change Policy 27 Transport and accessibility Policy 28 Infrastructure 19.Cornwall Design Guide 2021 20.Chief Planning Officer Note -Good Design in Cornwall March 2023 Summary of Consultations: 21.Bude Stratton Town Council (26 February 2026) No objection 22.Public Protection Contaminated Land Planning Consultations (7 April 2026) Foster Geo Solutions have carried out a Geotechnical and Ground…”

“Information Classification: PUBLIC If the extension is approved, then it should match with the rest of the fire house, in materials and finish. 24.Environment Agency NONE Representations: 25.Objections to the proposed development have been received. The key points have been summarised below: The extension will spoil the look of the Wharf buildings. Concerns regarding the impact on Grade II Listed building The Bark House and the narrowing of the gap between buildings.”

Officer report

Who spoke and what members heard

A supporter spoke and answered questions; members received clarification about the Bark House, alternative storage, the site and public objections.

What members debated

Members considered the existing facilities inadequate, the proposal necessary, and the impact on the Bark House minimised despite some reservations.

“A full and detailed debate ensued, the main points of which were noted as follows:-”

“The current facilities are inadequate and therefore the proposal is necessary. The impact on the Bark House has been minimised; The proposal should be supported; Despite reservations, there was a need for the proposal and it should therefore be supported; This issue had been identified a year ago and it should be supported.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee unanimously approved the application subject to the conditions in the report and update sheet.

“RESOLVED that Application No. PA26/00338 be approved subject to the conditions contained within the report and update sheet.”

“The reasons given by the Proposer for wishing to approve the application were as set out in the report and Committee update.”

Minutes