Parish council and 150 locals object to 325 new homes in Cornwall

A parish council and 150 residents have unanimously objected to plans to build 325 new homes in St Austell.

Persimmon Homes Cornwall & West Devon has applied for outline planning consent for the properties at at Gewan’s Farm, Tregorrick Road, paving the way for more detailed applications if approved.

A quarter of the properties would be transferred to a local housing association, which Persimmons Homes says will help “to lower the local housing waiting list which, at over 25,000 households, is one of Britain’s longest”.

However, Pentewan Valley Parish Council has already objected to the proposal. The decision was made at an extraordinary meeting of the council last Thursday (May 21), which was attended by over 150 members of the public.

The parish council said all those in attendance unanimously objected to the application, adding that Persimmons Homes declined to attend.

In a statement sent to Cornwall Council’s planning department, Pentewan Valley PC said: “When assessed in the round, the proposal gives rise to a series of significant adverse impacts including conflict with the spatial strategy, harm to landscape character, tension with neighbourhood plan objectives, heritage concerns and unresolved infrastructure issues.

“These are not minor or technical matters but go to the heart of whether the site is suitable and sustainable for the form of development proposed.”

The council also raised transport and flood risk concerns.

The application has received 80 comments of objection since appearing on Cornwall Council’s planning portal on May 11, with none in support. The comments raise concerns about the impact on infrastructure, flood risk and increased traffic on roads, including the junctions with Porthpean Road and on to Pentewan Road.

Persimmon Homes said it has undertaken extensive engagement with local communities in advance of the submission, working closely with Cornwall Council and undertaking a public consultation.

The builder says the development would make use of tree and hedgerow retention and planting to create a natural feel to the area alongside ecological enhancements provided through a sustainable drainage system and wildlife corridors, leading to a minimum of ten per cent biodiversity net gain. The site would also deliver 15 per cent canopy cover and a community orchard.

A significant proportion of the site would remain reserved for “new high-quality green infrastructure, comprising areas for ecological enhancement, separate central and country parks, teenage provision and equipped, natural and accessible green play areas”.

Persimmon Homes Cornwall & West Devon managing director Andy Hill said: “We’re very pleased to be bring forward this outline application to bring 325 new homes to St Austell, meeting a variety of housing with an ambitious vision that has nature at its heart.

“Persimmon has taken great care to ensure that the scheme would slot in nicely with existing development and travel connections, ensuring this feels like a garden village in St Austell.

“We will continue to work closely with a number of authorities and stakeholders so we can get planning consent and invest millions of pounds in the local infrastructure to the benefit of our potential customers and existing residents alike.”

You can find more details see planning application here.