132 new houses to be built in village despite link road concerns

A plan to build 132 new houses in a Cornish village has been approved despite the local parish council’s dismay that a promised link road won’t now be built until 95% of the homes are occupied.

Cornwall Council’s planning department approved the proposal by developer Gilbert & Goode this week.

Known as Newlina Meadows, the houses will be built on 7.46 hectares of land off Halt Road in St Newlyn East, near Newquay. Thirty per cent of the new homes (39 properties) will be affordable, with a split of 51% social rented and 49% shared ownership. There will be a mix of one to five-bedroom homes alongside a village green.

There were 26 public comments against the proposal on Cornwall Council’s planning portal, with none in support. Concerns included the size of development, its impact on the road network, infrastructure pressure including school and GP capacity, and the effects on the village’s sewage system.

St Newlyn East Parish Council was originally in favour of the proposal provided that the trigger point for opening the new link road was 40% occupation of the houses.

However, on Monday, November 2 the parish council emailed Cornwall Council’s planning department, saying it “wholly objects to the revised phasing plan submitted by Gilbert & Goode who now wish to change the opening of the link road until 95% of the houses are occupied. This is unacceptable. Although they state health and safety reasons, it is quite clear that this is a financial decision”.

A planning officer approved the development under delegated powers the following day, Tuesday, November 3.

The officer’s report stated: “Overall, the proposal has been assessed against the development plan and relevant material planning considerations.

The delivery of 132 dwellings attracts substantial planning weight, particularly given the council’s inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply. The provision of on-site affordable dwellings and an associated off-site contribution also attracts positive weight in addressing identified housing need.

“Further benefits include the delivery of the link road, public open space, village green, equipped play area, improved pedestrian connectivity and biodiversity enhancements. The associated economic benefits both through the construction phase and once the development is occupied also attracts planning weight.

“Other impacts relating to ecology, drainage, infrastructure and residential amenity are considered acceptable subject to the proposed planning conditions and completed Section 106 agreement including restrictions on occupation pending the necessary South West Water infrastructure improvements.

“A condition has been put forward and agreed by South West Water to therefore prevent occupation of more than 20 dwellings before April 1, 2028, unless the necessary wastewater infrastructure improvements have been completed earlier. This would prevent the development exceeding the available treatment capacity and avoid unacceptable risks of sewer flooding, pollution and harm to public health or amenity.”