A Cornwall Council planning committee was warned yesterday that if it approved an application to build a house in woodland near the main road between Truro and Falmouth, it could have “serious implications”.

Applicant John Thomas had applied for ‘permission in principle’ to build the property - which would be sold on the open market - on land at Stickenbridge, Perranarworthal, behind a well-known fruit and veg stall in a layby on the A39.

However, it was called in by the council’s chief planning officer as it conflicted with the area’s Neighbourhood Plan policy, which does not support new housing in the location.

Officers recommended refusal despite Perranarworthal Parish Council going against its own Neighbourhood Plan and supporting the development, which would be in the middle of mature woodland on a hill next to a bridleway.

The meeting heard from officers that the house would cause significant landscape harm in an Area of Great Landscape Value due to loss of tree cover. The council’s Tree Preservation Officer and the Ramblers Association both had major concerns.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, planning agent Kevin Moseley, agent, said: “The case officer says the site is in open countryside. This is absolute nonsense, it is completely surrounded by existing dwellings.

“In 2016, this committee granted permission for a dwelling in the garden of a property which adjoins the current site. Your committee noted that this is a sustainable location with a fruit and vegetable outlet in the layby below the site, a pub close by and a school less than two miles away.”

He argued that Stickenbridge has always been recognised by the parish council and local people as a named settlement on a main bus route with facilities nearby, meaning residential development would be acceptable plus there were no objections from any neighbours.

There was confusion at the meeting as to why the parish council had gone against policy in its own Neighbourhood Plan in wanting to allow the application.

Planning committee chairman Cllr Alan Jewell said: “It’s a very challenging site, don’t get me wrong, but there are no substantial trees within the site. There’s a bus stop there and you’re right on the main road.”

There followed a to and fro, with councillors wanting to approve but officers warning them it could set a precedent in going against Neighbourhood Plan policies. They were cautioned it could “open the floodgates” and potentially cause a lot of development which parishes have tried to stop, which could have “serious implications”.

Cllr Mike Thomas said parishes needed to stick with their plans and if not, they should be in planning meetings to explain why. There was no one present from Perranarworthal Parish Council at the meeting.

The committee was warned by a council solicitor that if it gave permission, he was sure there would be a separate application submitted by the end of the year citing this decision as an example of the Neighbourhood Plan saying no, but councillors deciding to override it.

After considerable debate, the committee approved, citing the Neighbourhood Plan as being restrictive as members considered the application as rounding off a settlement, under Cornwall Local Plan policy.