12 self-contained units at Land South Of Chy An Porth, The Terrace, St Ives

The site and surroundings

The prominent site fronts The Terrace, overlooks Porthminster Beach and St Ives Bay, and is near large apartment buildings and hotels.

“The site is located on land just beyond a fork in the main highway into St Ives. The proposed building fronts eastwards onto the Terrace, overlooking Porthminster Beach and St Ives Bay and the rear (west) elevation of the property directly abuts Albert Road. The site lies at a prominent location but does not benefit from any special landscape designations.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

The 2009 permission remains extant because development commenced, and a later certificate of lawfulness confirmed the approved 12-unit scheme could be completed.

“W1/08-1569 Construction of 12 self-contained units with associated parking & works (Approved with conditions).”

“PA18/11780 Certificate of lawfulness for proposed completion of 12 self-contained units with associated parking and works approved under decision number W1/08- 1569 on 10th December 2009 (Granted)”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The town council objected, while consultees raised requirements or advice about waste, drainage, ecology, security and open-space contributions.

“Cornwall Council Waste Management Advice given to ensure that the communal bin store and access have adequate lighting and ventilation and is designed to deter vermin. Be fitted with a roof tall enough for bin lids to open fully (particularly if bulk communal bins are used).”

“Information Classification: PUBLIC The Council’s public open space officer has identified that the development would, under current policy, be subject to financial contributions in respect of provision of open space and playing pitches within the St Ives Parish area, in accordance with policy 13 (2) and 28 (2) of the Cornwall Local Plan.”

Officer report

Objections received

Objectors raised concerns about views from Talland House, literary heritage, design, height, privacy, parking, affordability, flooding, wildlife, noise and the application type.

“A number of objections have been received and the following concerns/issues raised: • The development would obscure views across St Ives Bay, particularly towards Godrevy Lighthouse, to the detriment of the visual amenities of the area and most importantly, to the setting and outlook from the grade II listed building known as Talland House, which was formally the childhood summer home of the author Virginia Woolf.”

“Information Classification: PUBLIC • The design is bland and does not create a sense of place, the lower-level flats on the rear elevation are likely to be screened from natural daylight by the boundary wall. • Overdevelopment of a small site, inappropriate building height. • The development is not locally distinctive and will have a detrimental impact on the visual amenities of the area.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A speaker addressed the committee against the application, and Councillor Rogers spoke about heritage, views, policy and the need for a fresh assessment.

Members’ debate

Members discussed the legal issues, the existing permission, the effect on the view from Talland House and the continuing visibility of the lighthouse.

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

“Members felt that this was a difficult application based on the legalities around it; There was already permission in place, so something would be built on that site, and it would have an impact on the view from Talland House; and 3. The lighthouse would still be seen from the first floor of Talland House.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Councillor Ball’s motion, seconded by Councillor M Thomas, passed by 10 votes to 1, with no abstentions.

“Arising from consideration of the report and debate it was moved by Councillor Ball, seconded by Councillor M Thomas, and on a vote of 10 votes in favour, 1 against and 0 abstentions, it was:-”

Minutes

The decision

The application received delegated approval subject to the report’s conditions and the application not being called in by the Secretary of State.

“RESOLVED that Application No. PA25/07750 be given delegated approval subject to the conditions set out in the report and the application not being called in by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.”

Minutes