A family who built an annexe without planning permission for their parents to live in have been told they can keep it.

Mrs Figg, of Higher Penponds Road, Camborne, had applied for retrospective planning permission for the two-bedroom annexe which was built in 2017. The application was considered by Cornwall Council’s west sub-area planning committee on Monday (July 29).

The building had been constructed in the garden of the property for Mrs Figg’s elderly parents to live in.

However after complaints from neighbours Cornwall Council indicated that it would take enforcement action as the building did not have planning permission.

As a result Mrs Figg submitted the retrospective application to retain the single-storey building.

Local Cornwall councillor John Herd said he agreed with local residents who said the building was a house in its own right as it has a separate access.

An agent speaking on behalf of Mrs Figg explained that the annexe had been built for her parents and said that her father had died in June this year.

The committee heard that Mrs Figg’s mother suffers from a heart condition and that the support she provides is “vital”.

They also heard that by approving the plans it would “prevent a great deal of stress” for the applicants.

Cllr Herd told the committee that neighbours had claimed they were told by the family that they were building a summerhouse in 2017, but they thought it was actually a new house.

He claimed the annexe was too large and was 79 per cent of the footprint of the existing house.

However councillors agreed with planning officers that the accommodation was suitable in its surroundings and was providing an ancillary function.

Conditions were applied that the annexe is only used by members of the family or non-paying guests of the occupiers of the home.

The applicants will also have to erect a new fence along the boundary of the property and the window on the south side of the building should be obscured glazing and no further windows or door openings should be added to the south side.

Planning permission was granted with nine votes in favour and four against.