People of Cornwall town 'thrown under the bus' over housing plan

A planning committee had to discuss plans for 60 new houses for a second time following an administrative error by Cornwall Council

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By

Lee TrewhelaLocal Democracy Reporter Cornwall

• 05:00, 22 AUG 2023

The land where the new houses will be built next to Hayle Football Club (Image: Cornwall Council)

A councillor says the people of Hayle have been "thrown under the bus" by Cornwall Council over plans to build 60 new houses in the Cornish town. Her comments came during a discussion for a proposal which had already been approved by planners but which had to be decided again due to an administrative error.

Cornwall Council's west area planning committee was recommended to approve the plans for the houses, including 30 per cent affordable homes, and associated access work on undeveloped land to the south of Viaduct Hill, close to Hayle Football Club.

The council's planning department had previously been given delegated powers to approve but the whole application had to be revisited today (Monday, August 21) after an error meant Hayle Town Council wasn't informed that the proposed development was to be presented at the June meeting, where a representative would have spoken against it.

 

The meeting heard that Cornwall Council's divisional member Peter Channon shared Hayle Town Council’s concerns about wider transportation impacts if the development went ahead.

A planning officer stated that while their concerns were understood, the proposal was deemed to be acceptable following comments by National Highways and the council's own Highway Development Management Officer.

An aerial photograph showing where the houses will be built in Hayle (Image: Google Earth)

Cllr Rance said: "All Hayle Town Council wants is for you to defer this application, withdraw the masterplan until Cornwall Council comes up with a proper plan with suitable support and backing to bring this area forward with all the necessary infrastructure we so desperately need."

He said the area suffered with a "lack of pavements and narrow lanes which are increasingly used by larger vehicles without separation for pedestrians. When you add the location of three schools in this area, the situation is becoming very serious".

Cllr Channon argued the Hayle Growth Concept Plan was supposed to provide facilities but they "are not happening". The plan relied on improvements to Loggans Mill roundabout, which he said had now been pulled.

Alex Graves, a planning consultant speaking on behalf of the applicants Messrs Rogers And Clark, said: "This case was put before you back in June where you gave your unanimous support. There has been no material change in circumstance since to justify a different outcome. The case is before you again due to an administrative error as the town council were not informed of the meeting date. It is important to note that the council had submitted a written objection in advance of the June committee. This was reported to members and fully considered when reaching a decision.

"Having considered the National Highways and Highway Officer comments, the proposal is considered acceptable subject to conditions. The transfer of land to facilitate a future roundabout to support the wider allocation, as well as off-site footway improvements will facilitate transport infrastructure.

"Unusually there is very little objection for a proposal of this scale. It is in a sustainable location with access to everyday services. The proposal would deliver a range of benefits - 30 per cent affordable housing, ten per cent biodiversity net gain, contributions towards transport, education, employment and open space."