Five homes at The Learning Partnership The Redruth Centre, Redruth

Earlier use and marketing

The building was formerly used for retail, warehousing, offices and training, and had been marketed for 16–17 months before becoming vacant.

“Whilst in principle a residential use within this location is accepted, this must be balanced against the loss of the existing buildings use. The building that is the subject of this application was originally constructed as a warehouse. From viewing planning history, it appears a Certificate of Lawfulness was granted around 1985 for the existing use of the building for retail sales and warehousing (application reference: W2/85/EUC02).”

“Information Classification: PUBLIC 36. The agent has stated that the property has been marketed by Charterwood Commercial Property Agents from July 2022 to November 2024, with an employee of this company confirming this within an email.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the housing, accessible accommodation, improved building and town-centre location outweighed the loss of business space.

“It is considered that the loss of this business unit, which is located outside of the primary retail frontage, would not significantly undermine the vitality or viability of the town centre. Instead, it would provide five new units of accommodation which would contribute to the town centre and its economy and would subsequently see the increased management of the site and provide visual improvements through the proposed design of the scheme.”

“Taking the above into account, it is felt that the benefits of the scheme, which would respond to the housing crisis by increasing the supply of housing, improving the availability and access to homes and helping to deliver the revised housing targets arising from the NPPF, are felt to outweigh the loss through the loss of this existing business space.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A speaker attended and supported the application, while the Electoral Division Member raised concerns about commercial loss, HMOs and management.

What members discussed

Members discussed antisocial behaviour evidence, housing quality, noise, disabled facilities, town-centre footfall and the building’s historic appearance.

“An Inspector would require evidence to be provided regarding any alleged increase in anti-social behaviour; The space offered in the accommodation for wheelchair users met the requirements in terms of the floor space offered; There was no planning requirement for the type of accommodation offered here for disabled residents, and therefore the three door access route was not a planning consideration; 4.”

“There were quite a few HMOs in the Camborne area, and evidence would suggest that there was reduced anti-social behaviour in those areas; The residential use of the building would increase footfall in the town centre; Some of the issues raised were being addressed by condition; There was concern about the level of noise that might be experienced by prospective future occupants due to the Royal Mail building being located next door; 5.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Councillors approved the application by eight votes to three, with no abstentions.

“Arising from consideration of the report and debate it was moved by Councillor Hodgetts, seconded by Councillor Ball, and on a vote of 8 votes in favour, 3 against and 0 abstentions, it was:-”

“RESOLVED that Application No. PA25/02063 be approved.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved, with the proposer’s reasons being those set out in the report and committee update.

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

Minutes