EACH week, hundreds of planning applications come before Cornwall Council’s planning department, seeking to win approval for various plans right across the Duchy, with some concerning Holsworthy handled by Torridge District Council.

These plans can comprise of a number of different reasonings – ranging from permission to replace windows or listed building consent ranging up to large house building developments or changing of use of a building, for instance, from an office to a café, or flats.

Within this large and often complex system, there are a number of formats from which planning advice and approval can be sought.

These range from full applications where all the details which comprise a proposed development or work to a building are submitted, to outline applications, where further details are yet to be confirmed, for example, an outline application with reserved matters for appearance may not confirm the final proposed development but rather seek permission in principle.

An example of this is one for an outline permission for 20 dwellings on land with reserved matters for appearance and scale; the reserved matters would require further permission later for their inclusion.

Other types of applications include pre-application advice requests, where would-be developers submit often outline proposals to a local authority to ascertain whether it is likely to gain support or not prior to submitting a planning application.

The vast majority of applications are decided by planning officers employed by a local authority under ‘delegated powers’, meaning they do so on behalf of their employer, however, some applications are ‘called in’ by local councillors to be discussed at an area’s strategic planning committee meeting, meaning the final decision rests with a committee of councillors.

PROPOSALS for the erection of Juliet balconies, full size balconies and a decked terrace at a hotel in Bude have been submitted to Cornwall Council.

The application concerns The Edgecumbe Hotel, at 19 Summerleaze Crescent, Bude.

The applicant told Cornwall Council: “The front façade improvements, including the installation of Juliet balconies, full second-floor balconies, and a decked terrace are inspired by the architectural language of neighbouring properties along Summerleaze Crescent. These additions are modest in scale and visually sympathetic, reinforcing the rhythm and cohesion of the terrace. The replacement of the existing uPVC porch with a high-quality aluminium Crittall-style entrance further contributes to the enhancement of the building’s frontage, offering a more refined and historically appropriate aesthetic.

“Further along Summerleaze Crescent sits ‘The Beach at Bude’ hotel which features a raised front terrace similar in scale and character to that proposed at The Edge of the Beach Hotel. The inclusion of a terrace at the application site is a key component of the design strategy, offering a significant enhancement to the amenity value of the hotel. It provides a high-quality outdoor space for guests to relax, dine, and enjoy uninterrupted views across Summerleaze Beach and the surrounding coastline.

“This addition not only improves the visual relationship between the building and the public realm but also contributes to the vibrancy and appeal of the hotel as a destination. The terrace is designed to be sympathetic to the conservation area, using materials and proportions that reflect the established character of the Crescent, and is consistent with similar interventions that have been successfully implemented nearby. As such, it is considered a non-contentious and beneficial enhancement that supports both the operational needs of the hotel and the wider public enjoyment of the area.”

A BID by a developer, which has constructed a housing estate in Bodmin, to be relieved of its obligations to complete a foot and cycleway to an adjoining development has been refused by Cornwall Council.

Pearce Fine Homes Limited, which has built a housing development on land to the west of Cooksland Road, Bodmin, said that it was unable to undertake the works, which were a planning condition which granted consent for their development as they ‘cannot provide the physical linkage’.

They added that ‘despite numerous attempts to engage with the two third party landowners’, they were unable to build beyond the middle of a hedge.

In a letter covering the application for the change of We have been instructed by Pearce Fine Homes Limited to submit a variation of Condition application in respect of the above site. The application refers to condition three secondary access attached to the above reserved matters consent. That condition requires the completion of a footway/cycleway to the adjoining development.

“However, it has not been possible to complete this link due to land ownership constraints.

“As can be seen and despite numerous attempts to engage with the two third party landowners, the applicants have not or cannot provide a physical linkage – all they can do is construct the link to the middle of the hedge which sits within their ownership. At present they have refrained from doing the latter for aesthetics, damaging the hedge and preventing a hazardous misleading footway projecting into a hedge with a 1.5-metre drop on the other side. In the circumstances we would therefore request that the condition be varied as shown on the amended submitted layout play No. 3272-3-020. We trust that the amendment will be approved. If you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.”

Objections were raised by the council’s highways and public space teams.

An officer from the council’s highways development management (east) team, stated: “Following an assessment of the submitted plans and information, I have the highway comments below.

“Failure to deliver the link would lead to an isolated development without clear connectivity to the site to the south and vice versa, involving a tortuous route as an alternative to make the same journey.

“I advise that the application would go against the aims of the Local Plan and Transport Strategy in ensuring well connected, accessible and permeable development.”

The open spaces team also raised objections on the basis that the proposals did not accord with its own policies.

Refusing the application, Cornwall Council told the applicant: “The effect of the removal of the requirement to deliver a linkage to the south would adversely impact on non-motorised pedestrian and cycle movements.”

PLANNING permission has been granted for the conversion of a hotel into apartments and a six-bedroom dwelling.

The application concerns Bude Haven hotel, located at 7 Flexbury Avenue Flexbury Bude and the application was submitted by Mr and Mrs Jonathan Francis.

The former 12 bedroom hotel, which closed in 2024, would be sub-divided into a six bedroom dwellinghouse with a self contained annexe and four apartments.

The applicant stated: “This development proposes the conversion of Bude Haven House (C1 hotel, 543 m²) into one family residence (228 m²) and four apartments (315 m²), all within Use Class C3.”

The four apartments within the proposals would be classified as ‘market housing’ and would all comprise of one bedroom flats.

Cornwall Council approved the proposals subject to its standard conditions.