Statement from the Crugmeer Society on Crugmeer Farm Development 2006/02500
Planning Committee meeting on 27 February 2007
‘Development proposals will not be permitted where they adversely affect the character and amenity of these areas unless the development is required in the proven national interest and no alternatives are available’ENV1
We urge the Planning Committee to control development in North Cornwall in line with national, regional and local plans, and to protect the AONB environment by refusing the application
AONB advice (letter 14 February 07) is that a large Venue/ Innovation Centre with capacity to hold over 100 people, plus lettable business units, and associated road improvements, are inappropriate in the Cornwall Area of Outstanding National Beauty. Officers have a statutory duty to have regard to this advice, yet the recommendation has been made without taking account of AONB views.
Traffic and safety issues have not been resolved satisfactorily. The winding access lanes are being damaged by existing traffic. The County Surveyor has not yet responded on this latest proposal which is unacceptable, and a failure of the process to the risk of the safety of local people. The architects’ initial request to the Highways Authority related to 24 people on the site, yet even the minimum delegate level of 25 will mean 50 people across the main building and business units, only half of them arriving in minibuses. Use of the Venue for larger numbers has not been fully discussed with Highways and there can be no guarantee that higher numbers will not become the norm.
There is no justification, other than an opportunistic one, for a new large building (much larger than ‘Extension’ implies) in a community as small as Crugmeer. It would be overwhelming in its scale and impact, and it is inconceivable that there are not alternative sites available, for example in designated Business Parks.
The proposed Conference Centre at Wadebridge Royal Agricultural Show Ground would provide a local ‘world class’ facility without any attendant traffic safety and AONB problems. This development could also make the proposed Haven development even less viable and more at risk to alternative use.
The Developers’ claimed benefit of local employment is dubious. The jobs are admitted to be freelance. Higher ‘day rates’ for existing networks of consultants may benefit a few, but mainly not local people. Although a few ‘service’ jobs will be created, there is no shortage of such work in the Padstow area...
The stone built barns are well worth preserving through alternative use, but their preservation is in no way dependent on the erection of a large new Venue/Innovation Centre on the site of a prefabricated barn. Other more appropriate uses for the barns can be found, such as affordable housing.
The proposal is conveniently vague on use and occupancy. However, the architect's letter to Simon King of 7 February 2007 confirms that ' uses, occupancy and staffing remain as before.' i.e. in application 2006/00048. Haven’s letter to NCDC of 26 June 2006 clarifies: in our business plan we have 3 separate elements: Innovation Service, Venue and Business Units'. Only the Innovation Service is covered in any detail. The remainder of the proposal is so unspecific that it leaves the way open to almost any type of activity in the future, risking 'Trojan Horse' cover for future commercial exploitation of this and adjoining sites.
There are 44 objections from addresses within 5 miles of Crugmeer and only 10 supporters from within that radius. Local tenants, anxious about the future of their homes, have already had to seek legal advice.
Signed Peter Pearce - for the Crugmeer Society
(In Crugmeer: Great Crugmeer House, Little Crugmeer House, Underwood, Webbers, The Mowhay, Beacon Cottage, the Cottage, Path Cottage, Mowbray, The Mount, Homeleigh; Treator: Trafalgar Cottage, Bowley House; Trevone: Crisalgo, Wheatfields, Puffins, West View, Meadow Cottage, Ilkek, Trenant, Windsworth. Blomfield, St Francis, Pennybrae, Rope Walk, Trenant, Trevone Cottage, Lanvean, Dilkusha, Polkerris, Shute Cottage; Little Petherick : Molesworth Manor; Constantine Bay: Lynx)