West Sub-Area Planning Committee - 2 February 2026

The West Sub‑Area Planning Committee began the meeting with a brief from the the Democratic Officer on the emergency evacuation and domestic procedures. No declarations of interest were recorded, and the minutes of the previous meeting (10 November 2025) were formally approved and signed by the Chairman following a motion moved by Councillor M Thomas and seconded by Councillor Ball.

The first planning item considered was application PA25/01769, an outline permission for a residential development. The Principal Development Officer presented plans and photographs, noting an agreed additional condition that any of the eight remaining stone‑faced plots not yet started must be completed using natural stone. Support was voiced by representatives of Mabe Parish Council, Devonshire Homes, and several councillors, while one councillor from Penzance Town Council opposed the proposal. After debate, the Committee voted 10 in favour, 1 against, and granted delegated authority to the Chief Planning Officer to approve the application subject to the conditions outlined in the report, a Deed of Modification linking the new Section 73 permission to the original Section 106 obligation, and the natural‑stone requirement.

The second application, PA25/07441, concerned a development with historic and landscape sensitivities, including an ancient Iron Age site and iconic farm buildings. Both support and opposition were expressed by parish councillors and members of the public, with concerns raised about visual impact and environmental effects. The Principal Development Officer recommended approval with conditions, and the Committee unanimously resolved to approve the application subject to the conditions set out in the report.

The third item was application PA25/08086, a proposal to convert an existing dwelling for local‑connection or key‑worker occupancy. After a detailed discussion of occupancy‑restriction conditions and the need to avoid setting a precedent, the Committee unanimously granted delegated authority to the Chief Planning Officer to approve the application. The approval was conditioned on a three‑year commencement period, submission of detailed plans, removal of certain permitted‑development classes, and a unilateral undertaking to tie ownership of the existing and proposed dwellings while restricting occupancy to local or key‑worker households.

Finally, the Committee noted the current list of planning appeal decisions received, recent appeals lodged and dates for scheduled public inquiries. No further motions were raised, and the meeting was concluded with all items recorded and signed.