A number of residents in a small hamlet near Perranporth say a proposal for up to seven affordable homes would cause problems in an area with no facilities. However, a Cornwall Council planning officer believes the development should go ahead as it would help solve local housing need.

Mr M Noone has applied for permission in principle for the houses on what would be a rural exceptions site (land where housing would not normally be allowed in order to meet affordable demand) at Rose, between Goonhavern and Perranporth.

Local councillor Adrian Harvey has called the application to committee on the basis the site is not in a suitable location for housing. Perranzabuloe Parish Council also objects on the grounds that the proposal would represent development in open countryside, cause issues with the crossroads and highways in Rose, be unsustainable and the access driveway would be over private land.

However, planning officer Sophie Rogers says permission should be granted. “This proposal would potentially deliver up to seven local needs affordable homes, which would directly help to address an evidenced local need for this type of accommodation. It would also generate investment during the construction and occupation phases. The social and economic benefits associated with this weigh heavily in favour of approval.”

HomeChoice registered local housing need in the parish currently stands at 211 households seeking affordable accommodation.

The council’s highways development management department also opposes the proposed development: “The settlement of Rose has no facilities, therefore any additional residential units would be reliant on the private car as the nearest facilities are in Goonhavern or Perranporth and the routes lack pedestrian infrastructure. I therefore am unable to support the application as it is unsustainable in highway terms and there is not adequate information provided to understand if an acceptable vehicular access could be provided to the site.”

The council’s countryside access team, in its role as highway authority for public rights of way, has no objection to the proposals. Twenty five people who live in the Rose area have commented on the application on the council’s planning portal – 22 oppose the plan, while three welcome it.

Andy Millard wrote: “The roads and residential areas are already struggling with the development of area. This will only make the situation worse, taking the area to breaking point.” Anneli Tremain added: “Our hamlet of Rose needs to keep our green spaces. We have no amenities to accommodate more housing”

Mark Thorn is one of those who supports the plan. He said: “All houses in Rose are expensive these days and I know many families who are local renters who would love to be able to consider Rose as an option. More young families are welcome. We have a daughter who would love that too and we would only welcome the fact that she might be able to stay in Rose when she is older.”

A decision on the application will be made by Cornwall Council’s central area planning committee on Tuesday, August 27.