A development of six executive homes in the Kenwyn area of Truro has been approved following a successful appeal against planning refusal led by Axis.
The planned development of six three-storey detached homes with private space and car parking is expected to market well over £1 million and would incorporate a variety of sustainability features, including:
- A natural stone finish, natural slate roofs and elements of zinc cladding and plain render.
- Solar PV and some sedum roof areas.
- Low energy glazing, insulation, energy efficient heating and ventilation.
- Low energy construction with renewable, recycled and reclaimed materials.
- Rainwater harvesting systems to conserve water.
- Renewable communal heating in the form of ground source heat pumps.
- A landscape biodiversity scheme to protect existing trees and hedgerows, introduce small orchard areas, retain and enhance existing scrub and plant new hedgerows.
Axis drafted an initial planning application with the support of Cornwall Council’s Planning Officer, who recommended approving the application. However, approval was refused on the committee’s grounds that the scheme didn’t round off the settlement and would harm the area’s character by encroaching into the countryside.
In partnership with CAD Architects, we advised the client of the strong planning arguments in favour of the development and recommended an appeal, which we then prepared and lodged with the council.
Appealing the planning decision
During the appeal, our team referenced planning consents for similar developments in the immediate area, demonstrating how the proposed site would be better contained physically with more clearly defined and logical perimeter boundaries than the comparable sites.
Our officers also highlighted how the proposed development was in clear compliance with the council’s own policies and guidance on the rounding-off of settlements – a conclusion also drawn by the Planning Officer.
In response to the landscape and visual assessment, it was acknowledged that the development would have some very minor visual impact but would be separated from the surrounding countryside by logical boundaries in the form of mature hedgerows.
We reasoned that the hedgerows would strengthen and reinforce both the settlement boundary and the delineation between the countryside and urban area, echoing points made in the Planning Officer’s report.
A successful outcome
The Planning Inspectorate considered the arguments put forward and agreed to grant planning consent.
Martin Pollard, Axis Technical Director, said: “We are delighted that the Planning Inspectorate has allowed the appeal and granted planning consent for the proposed development.
“The introduction of these high quality, sustainable, architect designed, executive properties will make a very positive contribution to the housing stock in Kenwyn.”
We are delighted that the Planning Inspectorate has allowed the appeal and granted planning consent for the proposed development. The introduction of these high quality, sustainable, architect designed, executive properties will make a very positive contribution to the housing stock in Kenwyn.“
