Plans to build four new homes have been given planning permission despite highways officers raising concerns about road safety.

Trevow Ltd had applied to Cornwall Council to build the properties on land at Goonbell, St Agnes.

Previous applications had been refused as the site was considered to be in open countryside and there had been no affordable housing included.

The new plans include two affordable homes which would be made available for affordable rent.

The application went before the council’s central sub-area planning committee on Monday.

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However while there was support for the housing there were concerns about the safety of the road access to the site.

The access is proposed to be off a road which leads into a junction which is a staggered crossroads.

To overcome issues about the visibility to the main road to the right which is obscured by a former railway bridge the developer plans to raise the level of the road from the site to improve the sight line.

However, local residents, St Agnes Parish Council and local Cornwall councillor Pete Mitchell said that they were concerned about the safety of the access.

St Agnes parish councillor Dawn Brown said the Planning Inspectorate had dismissed an earlier appeal against previous refusal saying that the site was “not appropriate” for development.

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She said: “It is only before you today because the affordable housing has been added.”

Cllr Brown said the parish council was in favour and promotes affordable housing but was concerned about the road safety.

She said: “We would not be objecting to this application unless we had serious concerns for residents.”

The parish councillor said the planning inspector had not commented on highways issues around the plans as a report had not been provided.

The committee heard from a council highways officer who said that they had concerns about the access to the site and in particular for traffic turning left into the main road.

Committee member Joanna Kenny proposed that the application be refused due to the concerns about the road safety.

But planning officers warned that as highways issues had not been raised as part of the previous appeal it was likely that the council may not be able to argue refusal on those grounds and could be liable for costs.

Councillor Mike Thomas said: “Judging by some officers it has been made clear that it will be very difficult to justify our position at appeal on highways.

“I take on the highways officer’s comments but I cannot support a refusal.”

A proposal to refuse the application was lost with seven votes in favour and eight against.

Mr Thomas proposed that the application be approved but asked for a condition that there should be a sign indicating a concealed entrance.

An additional condition was also included that the two open market homes will have to be primary residences.

When put to the vote the application was approved with eight votes in favour and seven against.