Dolcoath meeting report:
Although it was stunning to see Cllrs Thomas and Kaczmarek on the same side, it is disappointing that Cornwall Council officers worked so hard to PREVENT councillors from rejecting the proposal! I heard Kaczmarek say that if officers supported the proposal, then councillors could not object on their grounds. See what followed:
The Highways officer submitted no objection, even though councillors pointed out that the proposed development included accessible buildings, but the pavements in Mabe are too narrow for a wheelchair. The high level of traffic, and lack of pathway to the local school were airy brushed aside by the Highways officer who merely conceded "paths would need to be looked at". As if there could be any way to make pathways safe for pedestrians without knocking down property! Because the housing officer supported the application, the councillors were prevented from objecting on these grounds.
Mabe parish objected on the grounds that their actual need was met. Interrogation of the housing officer, who supported the application, found that "need" consisted of just 3 band A applicants - in an application for 27 houses! Similarly, Mabe argued that their supply had been met, and this build was unnecessary, but the Housing officer seemed to consider that rich people should be allowed affordable housing (????). Again, because the housing officer supported the application, councillors were prevented from objecting on these grounds.
Mabe Parish also objected that the site failed to meet the definition of "Rural Exception site" since it was for 27 houses, while a rural exception site should be "ten or less". This also was brushed aside and precluded by Cornwall Council officers from reasons that councillors could be allowed to object to this development.
Staff at Trenoweth quarry objected on the threat to the future viability to the quarry that this development constituted, but the minerals officer, Cornwall Council approved a minerals plan just three weeks ago, but offered no objection and so councillors were not allowed to object to this development within a newly confirmed mineral zone.
Instead, the only objection allowed to councillors was the visual impact on a high hill which can be seen from considerable distances. Unanimously the councillors rejected the proposal, and so quarry staff had to take yet another day off productive work to protect their livelihoods from Cornwall Council officers.
We expect that Kate Kenally will shortly appoint a "Visual amenity" officer in order to prevent councillors sitting on planning committees from objecting to the visual impact of future developments...
The room was once again packed with people having to take time off work to protect their livelihoods, because Cornwall Council apparently won't. Mabe parish spoke against the application, including pointing out "misleading notes" in the application, and two others spoke against it. When the applicant's agent spoke for the development he seemed to live in a different world where there was no harmful impact from the development whatsoever, and he implied we were all fools for not fawning over it.
The local Cornwall Councillor was - once again -conspicuous by his absence. Three Mebyon Kernow parish councillors were there (me included) but we did not speak. We applauded, though. Kaczmarek must be canvassing for votes...
www.facebook.com/thecornishareanation/posts/2181379428586040
In other news:
Stop the Trial of 5G on the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall:
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-the-trial-of-5g-on-the-isles-of-scilly-and-cornwall
Nearly all new “affordable” housing in Cornwall is anything but, a new investigation has revealed.
https://cornishstuff.com/2019/02/14/affordable-housing-not-affordable
Who is running Cornwall Council? The councillors elected to make decisions for us or the well paid officers? With £600m recently borrowed by the council, the question is more important now than ever, especially as we'll have to pay it all back via council tax!…
https://cornishstuff.com/2019/02/18/who-is-running-this-council
URGENT / OUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT NEEDS YOU
You only have until tomorrow to object to this appalling planning proposal from a builder / developer / parish councillor who is also on the local plan development team.
The site is part of an 8 acre plot on green belt land, within Conservation Zone in Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in World Heritage site on the cliffs of West Cornwall, providing home to all manner of species from bats to choughs, and housing evidence of prehistoric settlement. It appears nothing is sacred!
All the info is can be found on the link attached including details on how to object.
Please take the time to HELP and PLEASE SHARE!
www.animamundigallery.com/lowerboscaswellplanningobjection