Up to nine dwellings at Land South Of Airvanlea Carninney Lane, Carbis Bay

What was proposed

The application sought permission in principle for between five and nine open-market dwellings on agricultural land off Carninney Lane.

“This application seeks 'Permission in Principle' (PIP) for the construction of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 9 open-market dwellings at a site lying off Carninney Lane, just outside of the settlement at Carbis Bay.”

“This application seeks permission in principle for the erection of a minimum of 5 and and a maximum of 9 dwellings on agricultural land sited off Carninney Lane in Carbis Bay. The site comprises an area of agricultural land that extends over approx. 0.7 hectares.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The approximately 0.7-hectare site lies outside the settlement, beside existing development, and includes a stable, hardstanding and grazing land.

“There is a block built stable and associated hardstanding on the site, with the remainder of the land being undeveloped and used for grazing horses.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the site is close to the urban area, accessible by several transport options and not overly prominent.

“The Cornwall Local Plan is over 5 years old and the local planning authority (LPA) is unable to demonstrate a five-year supply of housing land against the relevant number of homes required. In these circumstances the NPPF (2024) states that 'policies that are most important for determining the application' are out of date and should be given little weight in decision making.”

“The site lies outside of the settlement and in terms of location its development for open market housing would not accord with current planning policies, notably polices 3 and 7 of the Cornwall Local Plan (2010-2030). H o w e v e r, t he site is in close physical proximity to the urban area, is readily accessible by a wide range of transport options and is not overly prominent in the wider landscape.”

Officer report

The main planning issue

The key issue was whether the location, residential use and proposed amount of development were suitable in principle.

“The scope of permission in principle is limited to location, land use and amount of development. Issues relevant to these 'in principle' matters should be considered at the permission in principle stage. Other matters should be considered at the technical details consent stage. In addition, local authorities cannot list the information they require for applications for permission in principle in the same way they can for applications for planning permission.”

“The main issue is whether the site is suitable for residential development, having regard to its location, the proposed land use, and the amount of development.”

Officer report

What residents said

Objections cited flooding, light pollution, habitat and agricultural land loss, access, traffic, privacy, infrastructure and no affordable housing.

“The key planning related points have been summarised below:”

“Oppose • Will increase runoff leading to further flooding on lane • Light pollution • Loss of natural habitat/grade A agricultural land • Poor access • Harm to the character of the area • Increased traffic noise • Highway safety issues • Lack of any environmental assessment • Loss of privacy • Unstable land due to historic mining activity • Development not locally distinctive • Lack of infrastructure • No affordable housing provision…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A speaker opposed the application and an agent supported it; both answered committee questions.

What members discussed

Members questioned access, accident records, the absent electoral division member’s views and Cornwall’s five-year housing land supply.

“Members of the Committee expressed their disappointment that the Electoral Division Member was not in attendance – there were questions that Members would have liked to ask but were unable to.”

“Clarification relating to the proposed access to the site which was deemed to be suitable; 2. There were no accident statistics relating to the access road of the site; 3. The views of the Electoral Division Member were contained within the report; 4. Clarification of the situation with the 5 year land supply within Cornwall.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The motion to grant permission in principle was proposed, seconded and agreed unanimously.

“5 Arising from consideration of the report and debate it was moved by Councillor M Thomas, seconded by Councillor Ball, and unanimously, it was:-”

“RESOLVED that Permission in Principle for Application No. PA26/00949 be granted.”

Minutes