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.

AN application for the conversion of an empty property in Bodmin into two dwellings has been submitted to Cornwall Council.

It concerns a property known as Summerville on Dennison Road in the town and the application was made by SW Property Developments Ltd.

The existing building stands opposite the an old bible chapel, now used as a community centre known as the BEAT, and is a stand alone detached bungalow dating from pre 1950s with a construction and design that is described as not fitting for the area. The property has been empty for a number of years and as such is in a poor condition. The developer said in its documents that due to its current state, this building is an eye sore and detracts from the character of the surrounding area.

The developer told Cornwall Council: “The alterations will see the bungalow converted into a pair of semi detached houses. A single storey rear extension will be added to form a lounge area in each of the houses. Alterations to the window openings which will mainly be on the elevations facing the amenity space as opposed to the road. Thereby enhancing and strengthening the existing street frontage and surrounding site context. The finished property will look very similar to that of its neighbouring property at number 1 Higher Bore Street.

“The proposed development will certainly enhance and improve the existing street frontage. The street façade of the new dwelling will be constructed sympathetically to match the existing character of Dennison Road.”

A previous proposal at the property, which excluded the proposed rear extension to incorporate two lounges had been submitted in 2024 and was approved in March 2025.

The proposals, under reference PA25/06808 will be considered by Cornwall Council’s planning team.

PERMISSION in principle for the siting of a maximum of seven dwellings on land near Launceston has been approved by Cornwall Council.

The application concerns land to the north of Trekestle Park, Tregadillett, Launceston and the application was made by Blacksmith Park Ltd.

A permission in principle consent route is an alternative way of obtaining planning permission for housing-led development which separates the consideration of matters of principle for proposed development from the technical detail of the development. The permission in principle consent route has two stages: the first stage (or permission in principle stage) establishes whether a site is suitable in-principle and the second (‘technical details consent’) stage is when the detailed development proposals are assessed.

The applicant told Cornwall Council: “The site, which forms part of an agricultural field measures some 0.48 hectares in extent and is located to the north of the residential estate at Trekestle Park. The site is located immediately adjacent to residential development which forms part of the village. The site is enclosed by roadside boundary hedges, which extend along a portion of the northern, the eastern and southern boundaries and there is a post and rail fence, which has been the historical boundary enclosure for a significant period of time, which extends along the western and the remainder of the northern boundaries of the site.

In approving the permission in principle application Cornwall Council told the applicant: “The proposal is considered to represent sustainable development in terms of location, land use and amount when tested against the three objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework 2024 (paragraph 8).”

AN application for a certificate of lawfulness for the existing use of a second building as a residential dwelling on land near Gunnislake has been approved by Cornwall Council.

The application concerns the site Springfield, Albaston, Gunnislake.

Approving the application, Cornwall Council concluded: “The application relates to a secondary residential unit at Springfield, Gunnislake. The secondary residential unit in question has been in place since 2011, as shown in aerial imagery. The applicant's mother was residing in the main dwelling and the caravan was moved on to the site in 2011 with the purpose of being the applicants main and page five of five sole residents. The caravan contained all of the facilities for day-to-day living and was used independently as a residential dwelling.

“The applicant I believe in later years attended the main dwelling on a regular basis to care for his mother, but did not rely on the main dwelling for his day to day living. Included in the evidence provided with this application is correspondence from Lee Manning, who bought the caravan on to the land in 2011, he stated he was aware at the time that this was intended to the applicants home.

“He also stated that since 2011, he has visited the secondary residential unit and has always known it be the applicant's home. Also included with the evidence provided is correspondence from a neighbour and associate of the application who confirms the applicant has lived in the caravan on the land since 2011 and they have always known this to be the case.

“We can also see the caravan on the land in ariel footage from 2011-2025. I have also taken in to consideration that a pre application advice enquiry was submitted in January 2009, stating that a caravan would possibly be moved on to the land for residential purposes.”