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Search forCheers greet rejection of homes plan
Wednesday, July 09, 2008, 16:05
Poltair Developments' plans for the former Gabbons Nursery land at Round Ring were refused by Carrick District Council's planning committee.
The decision went against officers' recommendation and follows earlier refusal of outline plans.
Eric Dawkins, speaking on behalf of the objectors said: “We are delighted. This means a second refusal for the site.
“We can prove agricultural use is what the site should be for and if the company appeal we should have enough proof that it is needed and will continue to fight.”
Speaking at the meeting, Penryn resident Tony Radcliffe demanded refusal on the basis that rising food, energy and fuel costs and increasing emphasis on local produce meant it should remain agricultural. This is despite it now being owned by developers.
Mr Dawkins said an increase in traffic would be too dangerous.
Councillor Stephen Eva said further road safety measures were needed as two people had died and two children been knocked down in the area.
Councillor Ted Wilkes said: “This has been turned down once. This is greedy developers who want to come in and take our land away. This is a greenfield site and it should not be developed.
“Penryn is a beautiful place. We want to keep it as a beautiful place and not spoil it.”
But he was ordered by chairman Mike Varney to stop giving his “emotive opinion” instead of asking questions of the experts in attendance.
Officers were keen to provide 56 new affordable homes within the development to help the area's desperate need.
Mr Wilkes raised concerns these homes were not going to local people, but Mr Varney pointed out it would be up to the council to ensure they did.
The developer has agreed to give £130,000 for improvements in Round Ring to ease congestion.
County highways feel the work is satisfactory and said it could not back Carrick at an appeal if it rejected the bid on highways grounds.
Independent reports were carried out on the matter.
Several other traffic calming measures were proposed, but David Groves, from highways, said the £80,000 to £90,000 left over after the Round Ring junction and The Praze work was completed, would not cover this “wish list”.
He said: “If you were to tender a refusal on the grounds of highways I would not be able to represent any appeal situation with respect to highways. I am in full agreement with the report suggesting there are not sufficient reasons on highways grounds to refuse the application.”
An applicant for the agent said more housing was desperately needed in the area.
Members voted to refuse permission on the basis that development in the countryside was against council policy.
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