Planning Cornwall: Proposal for approval for 43 homes despite landslide concerns

A plan to build 43 homes in a landslide-prone area – which led to the death of a woman in a landslide in 2013 – has been recommended for approval by Cornwall Council’s planning department. The Diocese of Truro, which owns the land in Looe, and Looe LVA LLP are applying for permission to build the development in the town.

The matter was brought before the council’s eastern area planning committee next Monday (July 8) by area councilor Armand Toms, who shares the concerns of Looe Town Council, which opposed the proposal. The plan is for 43 homes, including 13 affordable homes, opposite Salter Close, above roads that have previously been hit by landslides.

A large number of residents are concerned that the proposed development and associated landscaping will lead to seepage and drainage problems, which they fear could lead to more landslides and damage to property and, worse, people .

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Looe Town Council opposed the application on a number of grounds, but its major concern is drainage. He told a planning meeting in February that “further development would lead to further severe water leakage. The soil conditions in St Martin’s Road include shallow deposits… which are particularly susceptible to the effects of both groundwater and surface water. was highlighted by the numerous landslides along St Martin’s Road and Sandplace Road”.

The council highlighted the risk of landslides in its report to Cornwall Council’s planning department, including comments made by a coroner following the death of Susan Norman in 2013. Susan was killed when her home on Sandplace Road was engulfed in mud and debris after 72 hours of torrential rain.

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An inquest jury found in 2016 that she “died as a result of being buried by the property in which she lived, which collapsed due to a landslide. Cornwall Council should have known at the time that there was a real and immediate risk of death to Susan Norman. considering the information in front of them” of evidence of historical landslides.

The coroner noted that Cornwall Council had failed to listen to the regular, consistent and frustrated complaints of local residents and said: “I can only send a warning about the possibilities that may exist if further importance is given to the area (and ) if it causes further disturbance to the soil and water table on the site.”

A number of residents have raised concerns about the proposals on Cornwall Council’s online planning register, pointing out that the Neighborhood Plan earmarked the site for potential development but for 25 homes instead of 43 properties.

Planning officer George Shirley recommended approval subject to conditions, including a contribution to the NHS of up to £20,160 for Old Bridge Surgery and a contribution of up to £15,953 for ‘recreational impact mitigation on Plymouth Sound and Estuaries SAC and Tamar. Complex of SPA Natura 2000 estuaries”.

The conditions also include a contribution of £71 per affordable unit and £1,030 per open market house to be allocated to ‘The Millpool Skate Park Project and/or the Barbican Sports Ground and/or the creation or improvement of outdoor sports space/ for teenagers in the parish of Looe’. . A £40,000 contribution towards the delivery of a bus stop near the B3253/Kilmers Way junction is also part of the deal.

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A planning report states that, based on the findings of flood risk investigations, there is a very low risk of the development causing instability in the surrounding area. The lead local flood authority raised no objection to the scheme, subject to conditions ensuring surface water design details and groundwater monitoring.

The planning committee will make a decision when it meets on Monday 8 July at 10am at County Hall / Lys Kernow in Truro.