PLANS are proposed to build a housing development on grassland in Newquay to address an emergency local housing need within the community.

A developer has submitted a planning application to construct nine dwellings on land at the rear to Penhallow Filling Station on Porth Bean Road.

Laurence Associates, on behalf of applicant Andrew and Colin Morris, stated the proposal would secure the delivery of a specialist form of housing to meet the need for housing accommodation.

The planning statement said: “The applicant seeks outline planning for the development of nine dwelling houses.

“There remains an acute and urgent need for temporary accommodation in main towns in Cornwall with over 700 households, of which 284 are single, either rough sleeping or living in temporary accommodation. It is anticipated that the proposal would secure the delivery of a specialist form of housing which seeks to address a specific emergency local housing need within the local community.

“While no concrete layout and design shall be secured by the development, the submitted indicative plan provides an illustrative layout to demonstrate how the site could be developed in the future. Access is likely to be secured via Porth Bean Road to the north.

“The application site is located to the north of Penhallow Filling Station on Porth Bean Road. The existing site exists as an area of grassland between a line of residential properties to the east and east. The site includes an informal footpath through the site which links the filling station and Porth Bean Road. The land is owned by the applicants.

“The site is positioned within a highly sustainable location, well-integrated into the main town of Newquay and within the settlement boundary.

Laurence Associates believes there are no planning reason to reject the planning application. “There are no tree preservation orders within the site and there are no other statutory landscape or ecological designations with or immediately adjacent to it. There does not appear to be any other statutory designations within or immediately adjacent to the site which would preclude the granting of planning permission.

“Green infrastructure has been a key consideration within this development, and the design has been landscape-led to retain and enhance the existing planting where possible whilst significantly enhancing the existing natural value of the Site generally. The proposal shall lead to additional planting of native species to enhance the natural and bio-diversity value where possible.

“In line with this report/survey, a reptile survey report concluded that the site was found to support no reptiles and there is low to negligible potential for significant adverse impacts on any reptile populations occurring as a result of the works.

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"The proposal is suitably located within Newquay and its settlement boundary, and is accessible via sustainable modes of transport, including by foot, bicycle, and train. The proposal would represent a scheme of nine dwellings which would help contribute to the housing need within the county. The proposal would not conflict with any policies which protect character, a good level of amenity or suitable access.”