RESIDENTS and councillors aired their concerns on Monday (December 9) that a plan for affordable homes would negatively impact Cornwall’s mining World Heritage Site, despite a desperate need for such housing in a Cornish parish.

Applicants Barbara Cole, Barry Curnow and Michael Curnow were seeking outline planning permission with all matters reserved – to be decided at a later date – for an affordable-led housing scheme of up to nine dwellings on land north of Red Lane House, Red Lane in Rosudgeon, near Penzance.

The matter was brought before a meeting of Cornwall Council’s west area planning committee after it was called in by local member Cllr John Martin, who was concerned about the “considerable harm” it would cause to the character of the rural area.

The meeting heard that two previous requests to build houses on the field were refused. An appeal against one of the decisions was also unsuccessful with a planning inspector agreeing it would have a detrimental impact and “irrevocably” change the character of the immediate area.

However, the council’s planning department recommended approval, stating that any harm to the World Heritage Site by building on fields which were historically part of mineworkers’ smallholdings would be outweighed by the need for affordable housing. Perranuthnoe parish currently has 62 households in need of a home.

Keith Gale, who represents Red Lane residents, told the meeting that two “very similar proposals” in St Hilary and Townshend were refused by the committee in July. The reasons for refusal referred to harm to the countryside and the World Heritage Site. “It would be inconsistent not to refuse this application,” he said.

“We know that many landowners in the area and on the lane are keenly watching this case. Once a precedent is set on a World Heritage Site they too will submit applications. We object because of harm to the area’s rural appearance and character, harm to the World Heritage Site, the lack of details of any affordable housing and if approved the precedent for more housing it will undoubtedly set.”

Christopher Pascoe, representing Perranuthnoe Parish Council, said the area was historically important as the lanes have been shaped by miners and their smallholdings in the past.

He told councillors: “The parish does seek affordable housing and is currently in consultation with a developer for a site in Rosudgeon, but as a parish we can’t accept developments that are contrary to the neighbourhood plan objectives, such as protecting the outstanding natural beauty of the landscape, safeguarding heritage assets, historic landscapes and area of traditional settlement character.

“For us, these are not on the table for trading; we value the area of the parish too much. Be in no doubt, approval of nine properties will be harmful in several areas. The ongoing harm would be unstoppable.”

Samuel Fuller, speaking on behalf of the applicants, said the previous refused applications were for open market housing while this is 100 per cent affordable-led. He highlighted that the benefits of the scheme were seen to override any concerns by the council’s own officers.

He said there had only been one affordable dwelling built in the area in the last five years and stressed the Labour government’s push for more housing.

Local member Cllr John Martin said the local council had identified other parts of the parish more suitable for development and that it felt it had played its part in satisfying the housing need with over 100 houses being built within Perranuthnoe.

“We are aware, however, there will be further demands on our land for homes with expected new government directives this winter,” he added. “The parish is prepared with areas already allocated but not in this location. An urban-style development is not appropriate here and would put existing services under pressure.”

Committee member Cllr Loveday Jenkin: “I’m struggling with this one. Having looked at the appeal decision, it’s pretty unequivocal that a large number of houses on that site will change that area to an unacceptable level. Whether that’s affordable houses or not, that doesn’t affect the impact. It seems to me to go against an appeal decision because it’s affordable maybe a step too far.

“I totally agree we need more affordable housing but the impact on this area, as highlighted by the planning inspector and the World Heritage Site, about urbanising this site, is quite clear.”

Cllr Thalia Marrington added: “I’m going back to the 44 public objections and comments about a lack of support, but I always look at the 62 in housing need and think they would probably be in support.”

Her proposal to approve was seconded. The vote to approve was lost with two in favour and eight against.