Cornwall planning: Over 30 homes to replace fire-damaged farmhouse dubbed 'very harmful' by Historic England

Plans to demolish a fire damaged farmhouse and replace it with 32 new houses will be discussed by a Cornwall Council planning committee next week. Historic England has opposed the proposals saying the development would be "very harmful" to the character of a World Heritage mining site.

Kevin Penrose has applied to demolish Church View Farmhouse on Church View Road, Camborne, and replace it with the 32 homes, which would include seven "affordable" properties, together with access, estate roads and landscaping/biodiversity net gain.

The matter has been called before Cornwall Council's west area planning meeting next Monday (June 24) after objections were received from Historic England and Camborne Town Council. The local division member, Cllr Peter Perry, has also declared a conflict of interest as he knows the applicant.

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A planning report to the committee notes that the application has been amended to take account of comments made by officers and consultees, and changes have reduced the scale of development and improved the designs of the units.

The report states: "The proposed development will lead to some harm to heritage assets comprising the conservation area and setting of the World Heritage Site, through the provision of the number of dwellings proposed on the site leading to the loss of the existing dwelling set within extensive grounds. However, this harm is considered to be less than substantial given that the existing dwelling is fire damaged and is not listed and that the benefits of the scheme in terms of providing housing to the area and including affordable housing outweigh this harm."

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The HomeChoice housing register shows there are 1,261 households seeking affordable accommodation in the Camborne parish.

"Taking these factors into account, it is considered that the proposal is acceptable on balance, subject to conditions. All other matters raised have been taken into account, including the planning history and the comments of the public and the town council, but none are of such significance so as to outweigh the considerations that have led to the conclusion. The application is therefore recommended for approval," adds the planning report.

Planning officer Martin Jose has recommend referral to the Secretary of State to approve.

Historic England has written to the council saying that the application remains "very harmful" to character and appearance of the Tuckingmill and Roskear conservation area and the "outstanding universal value" of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site. The organisation recommends that substantial amendments are made to the proposals to address its heritage concerns.

The site is currently accessed via the west boundary along Church View Road which comprises an unclassified highway. It is proposed to close this access for vehicular traffic and retain it as a pedestrian route and construct a new access to the south-east of the site, leading onto Kerrier Way.

A decision will be made on Monday at County Hall / Lys Kernow in Truro.