Despite reservations from Bodmin Town Council AND Highways, Cornwall Council planners, as  always, and with many officers in the Duchy for five minutes, think they know best:

Cornwall Council's east sub-area planning committee approved the plans despite concerns about the access to the site. The application had been objected to by highways officers who supported concerns raised by Bodmin Town Council about the speed and safety of traffic on Westheath Avenue.

www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/green-light-bodmin-homes-plan-2608760

A letter from one Truro resident re. totally unnecessary and unsustainable development along the Threemilestone to Chiverton "Western corridor":

"I note from the West Briton of the 14th February that the government is still considering investing £3 million of taxpayers money in the Stadium provided a "robust" business case can be found. Clearly, the lack of such a business plan is the reason why private finance has not been forthcoming to progress the project. Readers may remember that a major selling point of the Cornwall Stadium was that it would be purely funded by private money. Indeed, that was a crucial reason that it gained its planning consent from the planning committee. Stadium supporters encouragingly tweeted that it was a "no-brainer" on that basis. Yet this has not happened and both the Council and the government are considering investing at least £6 million pounds in a project where the business plan may have to be" tweaked " to show it is viable. A lack of available private finance strongly suggests otherwise. Given that Cormac, who have been chosen to construct the project, went £4 million over budget with the Northern Park and Ride, who will bet that it will stay within the £14.5 million estimate? Since it is unlikely to come in on budget, will the rate payers of Cornwall be expected to cough up the deficit? Will they also be expected to invest more millions to prevent its collapse if the business plan is not really robust, as seems the case. If this Stadium business does go over budget and needs propping up by ratepayers money, I urge that the councillors that voted for the Stadium to be granted public support put their money where their votes are and be surcharged for the costs."

As for our "esteemed" leader, £211,000pa Kate Kennally, CEO of Cornwall Council, her CV from Barnett council in London reads more like a horror story than a reference for Cornwall's future; well done Cornwall Council "scrutiny" committee for your exemplary work once again.

Some choice blog posts:

http://wwwbrokenbarnet.blogspot.com/2014/06/taking-haircut-in-market-place-of-care.html

http://barneteye.blogspot.com/2013/08/barnet-council-loses-plot-two-sides-to.html

I think the term "Nonsultation" is especially pertinent!

As one exasperated Cornwall Councillor wrote last week:

"I think I am reaching the “end of my tether” and my patience is fast running out.

Those of you who are interested in Truro will wish to Google - Cornwall Council Planning - Search for Planning Application No. PA19/00255 - Advertisement Consent for screen to be used for information and local promotion, Cornwall Council communications, paid advertisement slots and screenings of theatre /ballet productions.

I know nothing about this screen being erected in what is a Conservation Area (the location appears to be running adjacent to the bus crossing on Lemon Quay).  Read all the documents carefully and you will see the Agent is Cornwall Council! (Scorrier)

Read a little further and you will see the BIDS is involved - it was the BIDS who erected all the Totem Pole directional signs throughout the Conservation area without planning permission (Cornwall Council said it was not needed)!!

You will see from the plans that this SCREEN MEASURES SOME 20 FEET BY 20 FEET - even the case officer has her reservations.

Everything appears to be utterly and completely out of control.

The only way I have found out about the SCREEN is that it is going to be discussed at the Planning Committee on Thursday 7th March at 7.0 pm at the Library (Top Floor). 

At. 6.30 Matt Doble and Chris Daly (Cornwall Council) are going to be present to discuss PA15/11727 Modification of the Section 106 Agreement as opposed to the whole Langarth Development…"

To which another Truro resident responded, sadly quite rightly:

"It is quite clear that there is a drive to urbanise Cornwall, as fast as possible. The Council have repeatedly indicated their contempt for Cornwall's rural character by degrading and diminishing it at any and every opportunity. Rurality is not valued in any way by the Council and nothing is left undeveloped, if at all possible. 

Can we, as members of the public, object to this latest outrage?"

Another nail in Cornwall's rural and distinctiveness coffin....