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Planning Policy Guidance

Cornwall Council will use the following documents as material considerations. These are used in the determination of planning applications. They consist of:

Concept Plans

Concept plans are important. They provide more detail about how larger or more complex sites should be brought forward for development.  The aim of concept plans is to: 

  • seek to create comprehensive high quality and distinctive new neighbourhoods. These will have appropriate services and facilities for local residents. 
  • aim to raise the quality of development coming forward. This is done by setting out more detail and information relating to larger sites. These sites are allocated for development within the Cornwall Site Allocations DPD.

The plans will set out where different uses should be located. These uses include:

  • residential
  • employment space
  • open spaces
  • other community infrastructure

They also set out important pedestrian, cycle and vehicle routes, to enable ease of movement and more sustainable travel. 

Biodiversity Net Gain Chief Planning Officer’s Advice Note

Biodiversity Net Gain aims to:

  • make space for nature in development
  • leave the natural world in a measurably better state than beforehand

It will set out the Council’s position on the requirement for major development proposals to demonstrate a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain.  It also provides guidance on how to make an application that satisfies this requirement. 

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD)

SPD are documents that are produced to provide more detailed advice and guidance. These supplement policies and proposals contained in the Local Plan. National planning policy allows Local Planning Authorities to supplement the policies contained in the Local Plan. These should be supplemented with SPDs. SPDs provide detailed guidance on specific topics or issues. Older versions were known as Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG).

Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site SPD

The Cornish Mining World Heritage Site is a designated heritage asset. It is desgnated of the highest significance internationally. This SPD has been written primarily to help planning officers and elected members on planning committees. It will help them when making decisions on development that could affect the World Heritage Site. Such development could affect the site's Outstanding Universal Value or international significance.  The SPD also provides an insight for those wishing to submit planning applications within the World Heritage Site. This could be developers or others. This SPD was adopted on the 31 May 2017:

The following SPD are proposed for revision to SPD or as new guidance:

  • Cornwall Built and Natural Environment Quality Guide SPD
  • European Sites Mitigation SPD
  • Historic Environment SPD
  • Housing SPD
  • Renewable Energy SPD
  • St Austell China Clay Restoration and Tipping Strategy SPD
Planning Guidance

Other planning guidance is available, including:

  • Cornwall Planning for Biodiversity Guide. This was adopted as a Council document in October 2018. The Biodiversity Guide sets out a new approach by Cornwall Council for achieving a gain for nature within development sites. It does this by encouraging more biodiverse green and blue space within development sites. These include parks, ponds and corridors of open green space along rivers and hedges. It also gives prescriptive measures for the provision of bat and bird boxes and bee bricks. This is to make space for nature and the expected quality of ecological reporting for planning applications.

  • Drainage Guidance. New development should be sustainable. In flood risk terms, this means that development should be directed to areas at the lowest risk of flooding. Development should not make existing flood risk worse. Development should reduce existing overall flood risk where possible. The Cornwall Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) provides a tool to assess the flood risk in Cornwall. The SFRA provides essential information for planners and developers. This helps them to manage development, to limit flood risk to people and property wherever possible and manage the risk elsewhere. 

  • Renewable Energy Planning Advice. This was adopted as a council document in March 2016. This Planning Advice provides guidance on a range of renewable energy technologies. It explains what community ownership means and how it might be considered as part of a planning application. It also contains detailed guidance on specific considerations. These include landscape and cumulative impact (in particular for wind turbines and solar farms). As such, the Planning Advice provides a proactive tool guide for new development. It informs planning decisions and supports the development of Neighbourhood Plans across Cornwall.
Development Briefs

Development Briefs provide information that can be used as material considerations. This is in the determination of relevant planning applications. Development Briefs. Those approved and under consideration by Cornwall Council are:

 

Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans

Conservation Area Appraisal or Management Plan

Date
Looe Conservation Area Appraisal: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 March 2009

Looe Conservation Area Management Plan: Looe Heritage Guidance Notes 1 - Shopfronts and Signage, Notes 2 - Roofs and Rainwater Goods, Notes 3 - Windows and Doors

 March 2009
Whitsand Bay Chalets Guidance for Development Control  Adopted June 1991 (continually reviewed)
Land Affected by Mining and Coastal Erosion (hard copies only - contact Planning) Adopted September 1993
Falmouth Conservation Area Appraisal Part 1, Falmouth CAA Part 2, Falmouth CAA Part 3, Falmouth CAA part 4, Falmouth CAA Part 5 and Falmouth CAA Part 6 October 1998
Shop Fronts, Signs and Blinds in Falmouth, Penryn and Truro Conservation Areas January 1997
Chacewater Conservation Character Area Appraisal: Chacewater CAA Part 1, Chacewater CAA Part 2, Chacewater CAA Part 3; Chacewater Management Plan .
Devoran Conservation Character Area Appraisal: Devoran CAA Part 1, Devoran CAA Part 2, Devoran CAA Part 3, Devoran CAA Part 4; Devoran Management Plan Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
St Agnes Conservation Character Area Appraisal: St Agnes Appraisal Part 1, St Agnes Appraisal Part 2, St Agnes Appraisal Part 3, St Agnes Sustainability Appraisal, Non-Technical Sustainability Appraisal (St Agnes 2008), and St Agnes Consultation Statement. Draft to be revised
Truro Conservation Character Area Appraisal: Truro CAA Part 1, Truro CAA Part 2, Truro CAA Part 3, Surviving Historic Components Map, Historic Development Map, Conservation Area Evolution Map, Topography Map, Townscape Analysis Map; Truro Conservation Area Management Plan Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
Penryn Conservation Area Appraisal: Penryn CAA Part 1, Penryn CAA Part 2; Penryn Conservation Area Management Plan: Penryn CAMP Part 1, Penryn CAMP Part 2 Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
St Erme Village Design Statement Endorsed by Cornwall Council July 2014

 

Conservation Area Appraisal or Management Plan Date
Breage Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Strategy Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
Camborne Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal & Management Plan: Camborne Part 1, Camborne Part 2, Camborne Part 3 Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
Helston Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Strategy: Helston Part 1, Helston Part 2, Helston Part 3 Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
Plain-an-Gwarry Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
Porthleven Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Strategy Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
Redruth Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Strategy: Redruth Part 1, Redruth Part 2, Redruth Part 3, Redruth Part 4, Redruth Part 5, Redruth Part 6 Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
St Day Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Strategy Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
Tuckingmill and Roskear Conservation Area Appraisal: Tuckingmill Part 1, Tuckingmill Part 2, Tuckingmill Part 3 Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010

 

 

Conservation Area Appraisal or Management Plan Date
Blisland Conservation Area Statement  - please note - an updated version of this document was endorsed at Committee in 2007 - available in Conservation Area Appraisals below Adopted 1997             
Bodmin Town Conservation Area Character Appraisal Adopted 1999
Camelford Conservation Area Statement - please note - an updated version of this document was endorsed at Committee in 2007 - available in Conservation Area Appraisals below Adopted 1997
Chapel Amble Conservation Area Statement Adopted 1997
Hicks Mill Conservation Area Statement Adopted 1997
Kilkhampton Conservation Area Statement Adopted 1997
Little Petherick Conservation Area Statement Adopted 1997
Luckett Conservation Area Statement Adopted 1997
Marhamchurch Conservation Area Statement Adopted 1997
Padstow Conservation Area Statement Adopted 1994
Polyphant Conservation Area Statement Adopted 1997
St Breock Conservation Area Statement Adopted 1997
St Kew Conservation Area Statement - please note - an updated version of this document was endorsed at Committee in 2008 - available in Conservation Area Appraisals below Adopted 1997
St Teath Conservation Area Statement - please note - an updated version of this document was endorsed at Committee in 2008 - available in Conservation Area Appraisals below Adopted 1997
St Tudy Conservation Area Statement - please note - an updated version of this document was endorsed at Committee in 2008 - available in Conservation Area Appraisals below Adopted 1997
Stoke Climsland Conservation Area Statement Adopted 1997
Treligga Conservation Area Statement Adopted 1997
Week St Mary Conservation Area Statement Adopted 1997

 

Conservation Area Appraisal or Management Plan Date
Altarnun Conservation Area Appraisal , Management Plan , Townscape Map , and Surviving Historic Fabric Map Endorsed at Committee 2007                 
Blisland Conservation Area Appraisal , Management Plan , Townscape Map , and Surviving Historic Fabric Map Endorsed at Committee 2007
Boscastle Conservation Area Appraisal , Management Plan , Character Area Maps , Historic Development Map , and Townscape Map Endorsed at Committee 2007
Camelford Conservation Area Appraisal , Management Plan , Character Area Maps , Historic Development Map , and Townscape Map Endorsed at Committee 2007
Launceston Conservation Area Character Appraisal , Map 1A , 1B , 1C , 2A , 2B , 2C , 3A , 3B , 3C , 4A , 4B , 4C , and Management Plan Endorsed at Committee 2006
Port Isaac Conservation Area Appraisal , Management Plan , Character Area Maps , Historic Development Map , and Townscape Map Endorsed at Committee 2008
St Kew Conservation Area Appraisal , Management Plan , Townscape Map , and Historic Development Map Endorsed at Committee 2008
St Teath Conservation Area Appraisal , Management Plan , Townscape Map , and Historic Development Map Endorsed at Committee 2008
St Tudy Conservation Area Appraisal , Management Plan , Townscape Map , and Historic Development Map Endorsed at Committee 2008
Bude Conservation Area Appraisal: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3; Bude Conservation Area Management Plan Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
Poughill Conservation Area Appraisal: Part 1, Part 2; Poughill Conservation Area Management Plan Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
Stratton Conservation Area Appraisal: Stratton - Part 1, Stratton -Part 2, Stratton - Part 3; Stratton Conservation Area Management Plan Townscape Map Historic Development Map Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
Wadebridge Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan:  Wadebridge Part 1, Wadebridge Part 2, Wadebridge Conservation Area Management Plan, Fig1: Historical Development Map, Fig2: Surviving Historic Fabric Map, Fig3: Townscape Analysis Map, Fig4: Character Areas Map Endorsed by Cornwall Council March 2013

 

Conservation Area Appraisal or Management Plan Date
Penwith Shop Fronts Guide  
Penzance Conservation Area Appraisal: Part 1, Part 2, Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010           
Marazion Conservation Area Appraisal Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
Draft Bojewyan Conservation Area Appraisal: Title and Contents, Introduction, Location and Landscape Setting, History and Development, Appraisal of Special Interest, Preservation and Enhancement Draft August 2009
Draft Boscaswell Conservation Area Appraisal: Title and Contents, Introduction, Location and Landscape Setting, History and Development, Appraisal of Special Interest, Preservation and Enhancement Draft August 2009
Draft Botallack and Truthwall Conservation Area Appraisal: Title and Contents, Introduction, Location and Landscape Setting, History and Development, Appraisal of Special Interest, Preservation and Enhancement Draft August 2009
Draft Carnyorth Conservation Area Appraisal: Title and Contents, Introduction, Location and Landscape Setting, History and Development, Appraisal of Special Interest, Preservation and Enhancement Draft August 2009
Draft Nancherrow and Tregeseal Conservation Area Appraisal: Title and Contents, Introduction, Location and Landscape Setting, History and Development, Appraisal of Special Interest, Preservation and Enhancement Draft August 2009
Draft Pendeen Conservation Area Appraisal: Title and Contents, Introduction, Location and Landscape Setting, History and Development, Appraisal of Special Interest, Preservation and Enhancement Draft August 2009
Draft Trewellard Conservation Area Appraisal: Title and Contents, Introduction, Location and Landscape Setting, History and Development, Appraisal of Special Interest, Preservation and Enhancement Draft August 2009

 

Conservation Area Appraisal or Management Plan

Date

St Columb Major Conservation AreaAppraisal: Part 1, Part 2

Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010              
Tywardreath Conservation Area Appraisal Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
Polkerris Conservation Area Appraisal Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
Crantock Conservation Area Appraisal Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
Fowey Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
Grampound Conservation Area Appraisal Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
Pentewan Conservation Area Appraisal Endorsed by Cornwall Council April 2010
Luxulyan Valley Conservation Management Plan: Report, Illustrations, Gazetteer Part 1, Gazetteer Part 2, Gazetteer Part 3 July 2013

Charlestown Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan: Report, Fig1: Historical Development Map, Fig2: Townscape Analysis Map, Fig3: 1842 Tithe Map,

 Fig4: 1880 Historic Map, Fig5: 1907 Historic Map, Fig6: 1936 Historic Map

 March 2013

St Austell Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan: St Austell Part 1, St Austell Part 2, St Austell Part 3, St Austell Part4, Map1, Map2, Map3, Map4, Map5, Map6, Map7,  Map8, Map9, Map10, Map11, Map12

March 2013