Every week more than 100 applications are validated by Cornwall Council and we have selected some of the more interesting proposals and decisions. All planning applications submitted to the council have to be validated and are available for inspection by the public.
The majority of applications are decided by planning officers at the council under delegated powers. However, some applications will go before elected councillors who sit on planning committees.
No dates have been set for when the planning applications below will be determined. They can be viewed by going to the planning portal on Cornwall Council’s website.
Possibility of 86 homes being built on former college land
House builder Vistry has submitted a pre-application ‘ultimate planning performance agreement’ for a residential development of 86 homes with associated infrastructure and open space on former Duchy College land at Reskadinnick Road, Camborne.
A pre-app response from Cornwall Council in November 2023 confirmed that the site is suitable for development. The applicant is now seeking pre-app advice concerning road access.
For more details see PA25/00871/PREAPP.
Changes to plan for housing development near fire headquarters
A pre-application ‘targeted planning performance agreement’ has been validated by the council for 17 commercial units, an affordable-led housing scheme of 18 homes and associated works on land near the Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service headquarters at Tolvaddon, Camborne.
Following a design review panel meeting held in July 2025, the proposals have been reviewed and refined in response to the panel’s feedback. The principle, scale and intent of the development remain unchanged. However, the proposed conversion of a historic engine house has now been withdrawn.
A supporting statement says the revised scheme adopts a conservation-led approach, seeking the retention and preservation of the engine house as a standing relic within an enhanced landscaped setting.
The proposal now seeks full permission for the construction of the homes and commercial units together with the “conservation and celebration of the historic engine house as a key heritage feature within the overall masterplan”.
For more details see PA25/00428/PREAPP.
Plan for two 135m wind turbines in china clay country
Clean Earth has applied to install two wind turbines, each with a maximum blade tip height of up to 135m (443ft), in china clay country.
The turbines would have a three-bladed rotor design and would be supported by associated infrastructure, including crane pads, a temporary construction compound, underground cabling, electrical housing, and a new access taken from the established haul roads within the area.
The proposed site is located on land at Dubbers china clay works near Nanpean and St Stephen-in-Brannel, positioned to the north of Old Pound public road and north west of Imerys Blackpool china clay works.
The turbines would generate in excess of 25GWh of renewable electricity annually. This output is equivalent to the average annual electricity consumption of more than 5,500 homes in Cornwall, based on average household electricity consumption figures for 2023.
The proposal includes the creation of new grassland and mixed scrub habitats, delivering a biodiversity net gain (BNG) of 36.97%.
A planning statement says: “This will not only offset any habitat loss arising from the proposed development but will also enhance the ecological value of the site.”
It adds: “The scheme will support Government objectives for decarbonisation by reducing reliance on fossil fuels, enhancing Cornwall’s long-term energy security and making a meaningful contribution towards the county’s net zero targets.”
Planning permission is sought for a temporary operational period of 35 years from the date the site first exports electricity to the grid. At the end of this period, the turbines and associated infrastructure would be removed and the land reinstated to its original condition.
For more details see PA25/09509.
Plan for a 25m 5G mast in Penzance
Beacon Comms has provided the council of prior notification to construct a 25m 5G tower with six antenna apertures, four 600mm transmission dishes and four equipment cabinets with other works on land south of Ponsandane Campsite, Eastern Green, Penzance.
A statement says the proposed new mast has been sited and designed in order to provide 5G coverage and to support the existing mobile network of EE and HG3.
It adds: “It is paramount that digital connectivity is supported and maintained throughout the country. In particular the shift in user demand from city centres and places of work to residential areas and suburbs requires an improvement in coverage and capacity across the whole network.
“The height of the proposed apparatus is the minimum capable of providing the technological improvements sought.”
The site borders the A30 motorway and the nearest residential property, Ponsandane Care Home, is approximately 81m to the north west.
“The tower would be at a higher elevation when viewed from the front of the said property, it is considered that the existing trees in the property are of a sufficient height to screen overly prominent views of the proposed tower,” says the planning statement.
For more details see PA26/00641.
Possibility of 14 new bungalows near Redruth
An ultimate planning performance agreement pre-application bid to build 14 bungalows on a hectare of land at Pengraze Farm, Carnmarth, near Redruth, has been received by the council.
For more details see PA25/01251/PREAPP.
Three applications for developments of up to nine homes each
A permission in principle application has been made for a proposed development of up to nine homes on land to the east of Terras Hill, Lostwithiel.
The Site has previously been identified within Cornwall Council’s Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment with an indicative capacity of approximately 30 dwellings.
For more details see PA26/00553.
A similar application has been made for the proposed construction of seven to nine new homes on land off Trevose Close, St Agnes.
For more details see PA26/00893.
Another permission in principle application has been submitted for up to nine homes with with associated access on land between Tehidy Roadand Treverno Road, Roskear Croft, Roscroggan, Camborne.
The land is situated close to a mix of existing homes, including detached houses, bungalows, and terraces.
For more details see PA26/01057.
Plan for footgolf course
An application has been received for a lawful development certificate for the proposed use of a field as a footgolf course west of Camelford Football Club.
The submission by Pro20 Sports Academy states: “The land has an established history of recreational use, having previously been used for rugby matches and associated sporting activity.”
Footgolf is a hybrid sport combining football and golf, where players kick a football into cups on a golf course in the fewest strokes possible. Played on 18-hole courses, it follows rules similar to traditional golf.
For more details see PA26/00851.