Altarnun Parish Council November 2024 Meeting Report

Unforeseen events led to an eleventh hour change of venue for the November Altarnun Parish Council meeting. With a large public contingent arriving and assembling outside the Village Hall, and with circumstances evolving which were outside of the councils control, the meeting was hastily moved to the Church Hall thanks to the prompt response of Helen Naylor of the PCC.

Commencing only a few minutes after the scheduled start, Chair of the council, Cllr Craig Dowler started proceedings by introducing two representatives of Devonshire Homes who positioned their proposals and timescales for seeking planning permission for in excess of 30 residential units and a children’s play area as phase 2 of their development of Gratton Field, Five Lanes. They were met by challenges from a number of the twenty five members of the public present, regarding the proposed build quality as it was perceived there were numerous major failings in the phase one development, and many remain outstanding. Also, that during that build, there were seemingly unauthorised occasions when the main road was made impassable in day-time hours due to contractors plant and delivery vehicle movements. Despite reassurances by Devonshire Homes that things have changed and apologies to those affected by the initial build, there was an air of scepticism in the room which proved to be a stark takeaway for the Devonshire Homes spokespersons as they left the meeting.

Former North Cornwall MP Dan Rogerson was also present and representing the current incumbent, Ben Maguire, who was unable to attend the meeting due to the budget vote taking place in Parliament. Dan was keen to act as a conduit to strengthen links with Altarnun and our neighbours regarding the proposals for Plusha junction laid bare by National Highways (NH) at Lewannick, in September. Members of the public expressed their views in a forthright manner and pointed out that the Parish Council had requested a surgery appointment to discuss matters with Ben in early October but had only just heard back with the offer of a meeting being scheduled for 13th December 2024. Dan appreciated the urgency of the situation to garner Ben’s support for a grade separated junction to be delivered, as opposed to the ‘cut price solution’ presented by NH and promised to bring the date forward.

In planning matters the council had a revised application to consider in relation to Moorview Barns, Altarnun. Previously an agricultural workers dwelling had been applied for and tabled at the September meeting. The revision is for a dwelling for a supervisory worker with the Shared Lives Charity that provides either short term respite type breaks, day support or long-term placements with severe anxiety living with the applicants. Recognising the importance of being sympathetic with the location lying within a protected landscape, councillors once again gave their support with a clear rationale that this application demonstrated that it looks as though the new development will be discreet within its environment and that the remaining barn structures are to be enhanced.

Other applications were relating to the renovation of historic barns at Dryworks at Bolventor where the applicants sought listed building consent and, secondly a lawful development certificate for a barn at Wenn Farm, Trethinna has been applied for. Although the barn dates prior to 2013 there was no prior [planning consent. Both these proposals were supported.

In closing the council clerk advised that street lighting in our area is now being switched off between the hours of midnight and 5am. A Cornwall Council initiative to save costs and reduce carbon footprint. Also, that fortnightly rubbish collections had been introduced and that whilst a bedding in period was to be expected, the system has been proven in other areas of the county and is working well.

The December parish council meeting to be held on Wednesday 4th December 2024 at 7.30pm in Altarnun Village Hall. All are very welcome.