Cornwall planning: Historic village pub could become children's nursery

Plans for two solar sites and the possibility of changing a pub which is over 100 years old into a children's nursery are among the latest planning applications submitted to Cornwall Council.

Every week more than 100 applications are validated by Cornwall Council and we have selected some of the more interesting proposals. All planning applications submitted to the council have to be validated and are available for inspection by the public. Anyone is also allowed to submit comments about the applications - whether in support or objection.

The majority of applications are decided by planning officers at the council under delegated powers. However, some applications will go before elected councillors who sit on planning committees. No dates have been set for when the planning applications below will be determined. They can be viewed by going to the planning portal on Cornwall Council’s website.

Read next: Anger that unlawful G7 Summit work at hotel could be allowed

Read next: Anguished family victims of 'no fault' eviction for second time

Proposal for 5,000-panel solar farm near Hayle

Plans to install over 5,000 solar panels on land next to the A30 have been submitted to Cornwall Council. S2W Property 103 Ltd has applied to build a solar farm, with battery storage, access, landscaping and other infrastructure on 3.75 hectares of land off Loggans Road, Hayle, north of Loggans Moor Roundabout and adjacent to the A30.

A design statement by CSA Architects on behalf of the applicant says the proposed solar farm would comprise 5,080 photovoltaic panels with battery storage, generating 2.5 megawatts (MW) and an estimated annual offset of 1,300 tonnes of CO2 emissions. A private wire connection to the nearby St Ives Bay Beach Resort would ensure that over 1.3 gigawatt hour (GWh) per year would directly benefit the resort while any surplus electricity would be directed to the national grid.

The planning statement says the scheme aligns with the Government's climate emergency development plan, the National Planning Policy Framework 2021 and aids Cornwall Council’s goal of achieving 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2030.

The site on the approach to Hayle was previously three parcels of land, including areas housing the iconic Grade II listed Loggans Mill and a recently completed supermarket, but is now classed as an independent entity. The applicant says boundaries would remain untouched in an effort to maintain biodiversity habitats and natural screening to the A30.

For more details see application PA24/02723 on the council's planning portal.

Get the best stories and latest news delivered to your inbox every day. Choose what you want here.

Proposal for over 100 solar panels at campsite

The Olford family, who run East Crinnis Campsite, Par, have applied to install 114 ground mounted solar panels with associated cable run in a largely unused north-east corner of the site, which is sometimes used as a caravan holding and storage area.

The proposed solar array comprises 21 frames, with 15 frames of six panels and six frames of four panels, with an output of approximately 57 kilowatts (kW). The frames will be in three lines, approximately 38 metres in length.

The Oldfords have farmed the land at East Crinnis since the late 19th century and have established conservation areas for both wildlife and visitors to enjoy. They have commissioned the solar installation to further reduce their reliance on fossil fuels after exhausting the roof spaces available on site.

For more details see application PA24/02765 on the council's planning portal.

Pub could become children's nursery

A once popular village pub could become a children's day nursery. Sonya Macintosh, of Newquay, is seeking pre-application advice for the change of use of the Boscawen Hotel, Fore Street, St Dennis to a nursery.

The pub, which is more than 100 years old, shut its doors for the final time on Remembrance Sunday, November 13, 2022.

For more details see application PA24/00455/PREAPP on the council's planning portal.

Specialist support building for pupils in Penzance

Pre-application advice is being sought for a new Area Resource Base (ARB) building to provide teaching and ancillary accommodation for up to 30 pupils in need of social, emotional and mental health support at Mounts Bay Academy in Heamoor, Penzance. There would also be a new area for parking for around 14 cars, including an electric charging point, drop off space and cycle storage plus associated landscaping.

Some children and young people with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) and complex needs attend ARBs at 21 schools across Cornwall. Pupils in ARBs benefit from a more individually tailored, specialist provision. This can include small group work and access to specialist resources and services.

One of the many strengths of ARBs, according to the pre-app, is that pupils can still access parts of the mainstream school, as well as having more specialist support.

For more details see application PA24/00519/PREAPP on the council's planning portal.

Possible construction of new semi-detached houses

Pre-application advice is also being sought for the proposed construction of new semi-detached houses on land northeast of the Old School on School Hill, St Neot, on the edge of Bodmin Moor. A similar plan for two semi-detached houses on the site was withdrawn earlier this year.

For more details see application PA24/00504/PREAPP on the council's planning portal.

Coastguard building could become seafood takeaway

Mr C and A Key have applied to convert an old coastguard building on Boscastle harbour into a deli and takeaway selling locally caught seafood, reared farm produce, sandwiches and other food.

The existing building was constructed as a garage and lock-up by the National Trust. It has since been used by the Coastguard Agency as a store housing life-saving equipment. The applicants now have the lease on the building. The proposal involves internal works only with no external extensions or modifications.

For more details see application PA24/02766 on the council's planning portal.

Click here to join CornwallLive on WhatsApp and we'll send breaking news and top stories directly to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Pasty business needs more crimping space

Polmorla Pasties at Kings Hill Industrial Estate, Bude, has applied for an extension for a new crimping room. For more details see application PA24/02688 on the council's planning portal.

Affordable-led housing development

An application for permission in principle has been made for an affordable-led development with a maximum of four homes on land to the rear of Godolphin View, Townshend, near Hayle.

For more details see application PA24/02418 on the council's planning portal.

Battery storage system on land at St Austell

Aldustria Limited has applied to site a 10 megawatt battery storage system and associated works including an onsite parking area and fencing on land adjacent to a Western Power electricity substation at Mount Stamper Road, St Austell.

A planning statement states: "This proposal seeks full planning permission for the construction of a grid-connected battery energy storage system. In the UK, the National Grid is struggling to cope with fluctuating peaks in power demand. Energy storage utilises flexible technology to absorb surplus electricity at times of excess generation and release it when needed. The technology has the ability to import or export energy for seconds, minutes or hours. The system is responsive to the demand for energy and can switch from charge to discharge within seconds."

The battery storage facility is sought for a temporary period of 25 years, after which time, it is anticipated, the facility would be decommissioned and replaced with more efficient technology. The proposals comprise the installation of six battery racks, six power centre substations, three transformers, a switch room and other infrastructure.

The statement added: "The proposed development can be carried out without resulting in harm to highways, residential amenity, flood risk, the landscape or biodiversity. The benefits of the proposal significantly outweigh any perceived harm."

For more details see application PA24/01713 on the council's planning portal.