Local ‘farmer’ Mark Rowe seems to be using all his guile and financial resources to get his proposal for 340 homes at Helston HX1 through the planning system.

At a public consultation on Thursday, December 4 in Helston, in which the Cornwall Council Strategic Planning Committee assembled to hear the public’s views on the proposed scheme, it was disclosed that the application has been sent to appeal because the statutory adjudication date has been missed by Cornwall Council. 

Apparently any final decision on the matter will now be made by a planning inspector from Bristol or beyond, rather than Cornish councillors.

Furthermore, he has submitted a second application, making minor amendments to the original scheme. 

This is becoming a war of attrition, with the odds in the favour of the developer with considerable resources at his disposal.

We cannot let this happen to Helston.

Opposition to the scheme is strong, and there is an alternative, preferred by Helston town council, Wendron Parish council and locals alike. It is HX2.

The initial application will now be adjudicated on December 18 by the Strategic Planning Committee. Any decision made then will only be regarded as a part of the evidence taken into account by the planning inspector from Bristol.

It is important however to ensure that local opposition is recognised at this meeting. Since only two people are allowed to make representations, you are urged to contact your local parish councillor to make your views known.

Furthermore it is important that your opposition is lodged to the second application. This is referenced PA14/11142, and objections must be lodged by December 17, 2014.

The frustrations voiced at the Helston meeting were with the planning system, which seems heavily weighted in the favour of the developer, and seems to ignore local opinion, no matter how strong and vocal.

Peter Hadfield,
Roselidden Farm,
Helston