Planning Policy Guidance

This page contains guidance on Cornwall wide planning policy guidance.

Climate Emergency DPD Guidance

The CEDPD adds to the Cornwall Local plan's Strategic Policies. It is part of a positive and flexible planning policy framework for Cornwall up to 2030. Guidance on how to apply the policies is set out below:

• Policy Guidance Climate Emergency DPD

• CEDPD Policy  AL1 Regenerative and Low Impact Development 

• CEDPD Policy SEC1 2b - Transition Arrangements

• CEDPD Policy SEC1 2b- Renewable-Energy-off-setting framework 

• CEDPD Policy SEC1 2b – S111 Renewable Energy Offsetting Form (payments to be agreed with Cornwall Council in advance)

• CEDPD Policy SEC1 - Energy Summary Tools Update October 2023

• CEDPD Policy SEC1 – Energy Summary Tool PHPP v2

• CEDPD Policy SEC1 – Energy Summary Tool SAP v2

• Example SAP Report showing which data to use

• Version 2 SAP Adjustment Methodology

• CEDPD Policy G2 - Biodiversity Net Gain Guiding the Planning Process

• CEDPD Policy G3 - Canopy Policy in the Planning Process 

• CEDPD Policy G3 - Canopy Policy in the Planning Process (Video Guidance)

• CEDPD Policy G3 - Canopy Calculator User Guide 

• CEDPD Policy G3 - Canopy Calculator User Guide (Video Guidance)

• CEDPD Policy G3 - Cornwall Canopy Calculator V3.1 (Excel File Download)

• CEDPD Policy G3 - Q and A

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD)

These are documents that provide more detailed advice and guidance. They supplement the policies and proposals in the Local Plan, and relate to specific topics or issues. 

• Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site SPD

• Housing SPD

  • Homes for all Guidance Note June 2026

• St Austell China Clay Restoration and Tipping Strategy SPD

• European Sites Mitigation SPD

Chief Planning Officer Advice Notes (CPOAN)

Housing Notes

• Residential Uses in Town Centres - March 2024

• Providing Homes - May 2023

• Holiday Occupancy Conditions - minor update, March 2023

• Barn Conversions and Replacement dwellings in the Countryside - February 2023

• Addressing Affordability - September 2022

• Self and Custom Home Building in Cornwall - August 2022

• First Homes - July 2022

• Social Rent Viability Report for Cornwall Council - June 2022

• Specialist Accommodation for emergency homeless or move on housing - January 2022

• Provision of Temporary Residential Accommodation using converted holiday accommodation - November 2021

• Extra Care and Enhanced Sheltered Accommodation - January 2021

• Infill/Rounding Off - December 2017

Design Notes

• Good Design in Cornwall - March 2023

Other Notes

• Hot food takeaway premises - March 2025

• Landscape Character Assessment and
  Areas of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) - March 2024 

• Whitsand Bay - January 2024

• Critical Minerals - February 2024

• Planning for Air Quality - November 2021

• Preparing Concept Plans and Masterplans - May 2020

• Strategic Employment Sites - February 2020

• Assessing Landscape Capacity - a Development Management Toolkit October 2014

Other advice and guidance

• Housing Viability Guidance Note Part A - July 2026

• Waste Planning Guidance for new developments - March 2024

• Travel Plan and Parking Standards Advice for Developers - July 2023

• Cornwall Planning for Biodiversity Guide - updated 2023

• Residential Solar Best Practice Guidance - July 2023

• Advice Note on CoHousing - September 2021

• Advice Note on Vacant Building Credit - November 2020 

• Town Renewal and Priorities Assessment - November 2020. 

• Guidance on Changing Places Toilets - September 2018 

• Sustainable Drainage Policy - July 2016 

• Renewable Energy Planning Advice - March 2016

• Updated Renewable Energy Landscape Sensitivity Assessment 2020  

  • Renewable Energy Planning Advice Annex 1 - 2016

    • Renewable Energy Planning Advice Appendix 1 - 2016

  • Renewable Energy Planning Advice Annex 2 - 2016

  • Renewable Energy Planning Advice Annex 3 - 2016 

Place based plans

Place based plans include:

• Town Visions

• Concept Plans

• Frameworks

• Masterplans

For more information please visit the Places page.