Altarnun Parish Council October 2024 Meeting Report

Altarnun Parish Council maintained its focus on National Highways proposals to cause chaos amongst our villages and communities. The public engagement which took place at Lewannick Village Hall on 26th September did very little to allay our worst fears that in the attempt to improve safety and reduce accidents, the A30 between Kennards House and Five Lanes will have six crossings closed and the investment in a graded junction at Plusha, which has been called for since the turn of the century, will be out of scope due to financial constraints. The scheme presented at Lewannack by the National Highways team and so widely condemned, as cut price, by Cornwall Councillor Adrian Parsons seems to be coming our way. National Highways seemed intransigent to local representation which gave the impression they hold in disregard the consequences of implementing their plans.

However, a very well informed and well organised action group apprised our meeting they have recently identified quangos and routes to officials who could be empathetic with our current plight and authoritatively interact with National Highways. Meanwhile the council resolved to try and achieve a face to face meeting with our MP to endorse all the work the action group has produced and provide sufficient information that will demonstrate the impact and devastation the National Highways plans will have on our community. Clearly there is a willingness born out of frustration to do what it takes to influence the outcome that is desperately wanted.

One panning application was tabled, relating to obtaining a certificate of lawful use for a barn erected in 2014 at New Hay Farm. The original permission was for a building half the size, but the larger unit was purchased and placed on site. Councillors were pleased that the applicant was now seeking to regularise the position and supported the application.

The clerk reported correspondence received from Devonshire Homes, keen to reengage with the Parish Council prior to submitting plans for the development of a further phase at Gratton Fields, Five Lanes. It is expected they will attend a future monthly meeting.

Thank you for reading and now it’s off to prepare for the November parish council meeting to be held on Wednesday 6th November 2024 at 7.30pm in Altarnun Village Hall. All are very welcome.