Altarnun Parish Council March 2025 Meeting Report

Devonshire Homes were back in town for the Altarnun Parish Council March meeting, to table their outline planning application for phase two of their development at Five Lanes. As indicated when they last visited in November, the proposed plan is indeed for 36 residential dwellings and a children’s play park.

Members of the public and councillors raised concerns on the scale of development and its potential adverse impact on local amenity, services and increase in vehicle movements. It was noted that the Cornwall National Landscapes (AONB) had made comment, stating the development would have unacceptable harmful effects. The Cornwall Council Local Lead Flood Authority also withheld it’s support to the application as it stood, pointing outthe Flood Risk Assessment which incorporates the sustainable drainage systems design was produced in 2014 and so is out of date and must be revised and be resubmitted. It was also queried why South West Water had failed to submit a consultee comment to Cornwall Council when there have been ongoing concerns and clear indications that the Altarnun sewage treatment works are at full capacity and seemingly unable to cope with such a huge increase in demand.

The two representatives of Devonshire Homes who positioned their proposals were again met by challenges from a number of the members of the public present, regarding the proposed build quality and layout of the second development. Once again reassurances were given that steps have been taken to improve build quality and customer service standards and gave apologies to those who have suffered defects revealed in the initial build. Regarding the outline layout of phase two, they stressed that it was not the final version and that they would listen to representations of those who had bought at Farriers Close of how phase two can be configured to lessen its impact on them.

There was an acceptance in the room that the scheme was laudable in that it proposed 50% of the dwellings will provide affordable housing for local people. However, councillors resolved to submit an objection to the local planning authority on the grounds of excessive development in terms of the proposed number of units that will adversely impact local amenity as well as the sewage and drainage services and that it creates intensification in terms of new access roads joining the public road.

In other planning matters, councillors supported an application for a roof to be placed over the slurry yard at South Carne and also the renewal of an application to build an extension at The Platt, Five Lanes, having supported the original application in 2022.

The meeting heard that work completed during March on the A30 between Five Lanes and Kennards House will make the temporary arrangements somewhat more permanent rather than addressing the long term solution to safety issues being pursued locally and by Ben Maguire at Westminster. The good news is that Cornwall Council have agreed to incorporate a figure of £250,000 in their budget for the next financial year. The announcement comes after the council published an alteration to its proposed budget and will now allow it to pay for a feasibility study into a possible upgrade at Plusha junction, looking back several junction options with an underpass or an overbridge detailed in a plan in 2015. However, due to funding pressures at the time the project never proceeded.

Elsewhere in the meeting councillors were advised that plans for ‘Fun on the Green 2025’ are underway, and Altarnun will enjoy a weekend of festivities in early July. Watch this space!

The next parish council meeting is to be held on Wednesday 2nd April 2025 at 7.30pm in Altarnun Village Hall. All are very welcome.