PLANS to convert part of a holiday park near St Columb Major to provide residential accommodation have been turned down.

Cornwall Council has rejected a planning application for a change of use of land at Castle Caravan Park in Castle-an-dinas from holiday static caravans and mobile homes to stationing 15 mobile homes for full time residential accommodation.

The applicant argued the proposed development would help address the shortfall in the housing supply within Cornwall during the “housing crisis”, and would provide an economic benefit to the area. St Columb Town Council also supported the plans.

But Cornwall Council’s planning department decided the change of use to residential would represent homes with poor accessibility to necessary daily services and facilities.

The planning statement said: “The current application proposes the change of use of an area of the caravan park at its south-western end from a use for the stationing of holiday static caravans/mobile homes to a use for the stationing of 15 mobile homes for full time residential occupation.

“It is emphasised that the proposal only entails a change in the use of the land. There are currently 27 static caravans/mobile homes on the application site area. All of these units are stationed on hardstandings and have water, electric, gas, drainage, and other services. There are also some unoccupied plots.

“There are no physical works proposed whatsoever, and it is the applicant’s intention that the number of units on the land will be reduced to 15.

“The applicant intends that the 15 static caravans/mobile homes will most likely be sold on the open market, although some may be leased.

“There is currently a Housing Crisis in Cornwall, and the Council recognises the need to significantly boost the supply of housing. The proposed development will assist in addressing the shortfall in the housing supply within Cornwall, and will provide an economic benefit to the area.

“It is considered that the proposed residential use of the land as proposed should be supported.”

The Cornwall Council refusal notice said: “The application site is located within the countryside, clearly divorced from any settlement. The change of use to residential would represent homes with poor accessibility to necessary daily services and facilities which would perpetuate over reliance on the private vehicle and unsustainable traffic movements.

“The proposal would not accord with the housing policies or spatial strategy of the development plan. Additionally, no mechanism has been secured to deliver off- site affordable housing, nor education or NHS mitigation.”

Referencing comments made about the current housing crisis, the council added: “A housing crisis exists, and it is acknowledged that the housing policies of the development plan are out of date. Accordingly, significant weight is given to the positive contribution that the proposal would make in respect to housing delivery.

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“Notwithstanding the significant weight to the delivery of housing, development in the manner and location proposed does not amount to sustainable development and is significantly and demonstrably outweighed with the conflict found within development plan policies.”