Planning Cornwall: Trelissick car park decision because people think it would be road rage

One of the most controversial planning applications ever to be submitted in mid-Cornwall was discussed at Cornwall Council today. Concerns have been raised that it could have a major impact on the running of one of the Duchy’s best-loved businesses.

In the most controversial local application ever, the National Trust has applied to increase parking at its Trelissick estate in Feock, near Truro, to meet growing visitor demand and stop the queues of cars which during peak summer periods are known to that I reserve for B3289. The road leads to the King Harry ferry crossing the Fal River to the Roseland peninsula.

The trust wants to increase the car park by 104 spaces in total, to 524, by altering the current car park to include 299 spaces and creating an additional 225 space car park in the woodland and orchard on Dicky Lane on the opposite side of the road. The work would also include a pedestrian crossing leading from the new car park to the house, gardens and riverside park.

Read more: Uproar over parking plan at Cornish family attraction

Read more: National Trust car park most opposed to plan in its area ever

It was the crossing that particularly disturbed a meeting of the council’s central sub-area planning committee today (Tuesday, May 7). Many councilors worried it would lead to queues and delays, passengers and emergency vehicles missing ferry crossings and even road rage from angry drivers desperate to get to the ferry on time.

Garrick Royle, managing director of King Harry Ferry Co, said the traffic flow monitoring undertaken by the trust was unrealistic and did not take into account the number of vehicles leaving the ferry to pass by Trelissick.

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He said: “Our main concern is the narrowing of the road with an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing which will cause massive delays and disruption to traffic accessing the Roseland peninsula. We also believe that the crossing will be dangerous for pedestrians. through a perilous passage which the National Trust has proceeded with despite massive public opposition?”

He asked that a bridge option or relocation of additional parking be considered so that a crossing is not required. A number of councilors and opposition speakers, including Feock parish councilor Rick Bowers, suggested the plan for more parking did not adhere to the National Trust’s own green credentials. They argued that motorists should be encouraged to use park and ride facilities in Truro, with the trust organizing shuttle transport. A park and float system using the ferry was also suggested by Cllr Steve Arthur.

A planning agent for the trust pointed out that the plans were submitted after working with council officers, the local authority’s highways wing, Cormac, concluding the scheme was feasible and safe. The proposal was supported by Historic England and a Cornwall Council highways officer. Ten other options were investigated but were ruled out due to the loss of valuable land.

He said the benefits included improved public safety and traffic management, a net biodiversity gain of 34%, planting more than 200 trees and new woodland, enhancing the historic setting of Trelissick, enabled further restoration and benefited the regional economy , including the creation of seven new jobs.

Cllr Julian German, who represents the Roseland peninsula, told the committee: “Many Roseland residents are concerned about this application and I share their concerns. The fact that the King Harry Ferry is a life-saving service was highlighted through the pandemic when the council provided financial support so that emergency services could continue to access Roseland from that side.

“Narrowing the road would cause traffic jams. My concern is that it would cause much more of a challenge than the model. We all know road rage is on the rise and I worry what will happen to that. I also worry what will happen in this aspect, with the increased pedestrian/vehicle conflict this will create”.

He said the Trelissick heritage site creates a “quiet and unique place that ties in beautifully with its natural setting, however what we are proposing here is the introduction of a resin table, rumble strips, curbs and bollards, narrowing of the carriageway and increased vehicle signage , so that crossing damages the frame”.

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Cllr Michael Bunney, who represents St Mewan and Grampound, was against the planning officer’s recommendation to approve and suggested refusal, saying: “I love the National Trust, I love Trelissick and I fully appreciate the issue and the issue of trying to handle shipping, but I think this is the wrong solution. National Landscape / Area of ​​Outstanding Natural Beauty should weigh heavily on us. I think this is a suburbanized element in a very unique landscape. I don’t see more parking lots being planned in the right direction when it comes to climate change.”

Most councilors agreed with him, although Cllr John Fitter added: “The National Trust is doing this because it is a must – they need to make the visitor experience a quality experience and this will improve it. We shouldn’t demonize the people who seek the climate emergency and say they should all have pedal bikes, come by boat or public transport. to use it”.

After a two-hour debate, chairman Cllr Alan Jewell called for a vote on what he said was the most debated application since he became chairman of the planning committee. Nine councilors voted against, Cllr Fitter voted against and there was one abstention.