East Sub-Area Planning Committee - 16 March 2026

**Procedural matters** – The meeting opened with the Democratic Officer’s report on the emergency evacuation and domestic procedures. No declarations of interest were recorded. The minutes of the East Sub‑Area Planning Committee meeting held on 28 October 2025 were moved by Councillor O’Keefe, seconded by Councillor Moorcroft and resolved to be correctly recorded and signed by the Chair. The Chair for the agenda item on the first planning application was assumed by Vice‑Chair Councillor Gibbons, as the elected Chair, Councillor Parsons, was the Electoral Division Member for that application.

**Application No. PA25/08826** – The Development Officer presented the proposal, showing plans and photographs, and recommended approval subject to conditions. Evidence were made by Matt Hawcroft, Councillor Meagor (St Minver Highlands Parish Council) and Colin Shepheard, all of whom opposed the application. Support was voiced by Samuel Fuller and the Principal Development Officer, who also recommended approval. The debate focused on the heritage and character of the existing building, the scale and modernity of the replacement dwelling, the impact on the countryside, and the lack of planning policies that would justify refusal. After the discussion, Councillor Moorcroft moved, seconded by Councillor Long, that the application be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report; the motion was carried unanimously.

**Permission‑in‑Principle (PiP) application (Item EPL/31)** – The Principal Development Officer outlined the PiP proposal, again recommending approval with conditions. Opposing speakers included Colin Shepheard and Councillor Randall (North Hill Parish Council); Samuel Fuller spoke in support. Councillor Parsons, the Electoral Division Member for the site, raised concerns about the site’s planning history, flood‑zone 3 status, the presence of bats, and the need to consider the proposal within the relevant planning policy framework. Officers clarified issues such as the distinction between PiP and full planning applications, the role of sewerage and sustainability considerations, and the broader housing need in Cornwall. The Committee expressed frustration over perceived constraints from national policy and the absence of a five‑year land‑supply plan. The motion to approve the PiP application, moved and seconded by members of the Committee, was passed unanimously.

**Outcomes and next steps** – Both applications were approved subject to the conditions detailed in the respective reports. The approved conditions will be incorporated into the subsequent technical‑detail stage for the PiP application, where flood‑risk, bat mitigation and sewerage matters will be examined more closely. The Committee’s decisions were recorded without amendment, and the Chair’s signature will be obtained on the minutes. No further appeals were noted in the excerpt provided.