Councillors have had to make a decision on a planning application for a house extension for a second time after a parish council’s comments were not reported when the original decision was made.

Cornwall Council’s west sub-area planning committee had decided to grant planning permission for a garage and fishing net loft extension on a home on The Lizard.

However it was then highlighted that comments made by Landewednack Parish Council objecting to the application had not been reported to councillors before they made their decision.

As a result the application went back before the planning committee this morning to decide whether planning permission should be granted. Planning officers had again recommended it should be approved.

Mr M Mitchell had applied for planning permission to build a garage and fishing net loft extension to the home in Pentreath Lane.

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But the parish council was unhappy about the proposals saying that the extension was too large and was also concerned about the impact on common land owned by the parish council.

Parish councillors said that the extension would be the equivalent of 44% of the footprint of the existing home and said this was too big and would result in the loss of amenity space.

The parish council said: “It would seem far more suitable that, if any extension to this property was to be allowed, it should be single storey and located on the north side elevation, which is where the bulk of the amenity space is situated.

“This shows how dangerous it is to just take an amenity space number without clarifying where that amenity space actually is. It is also most concerning that there will be no amenity space of any consequence on the side south elevation within the applicant’s title. Amenities such as turning, loading and parking may not be accommodated on the registered common on land owned by the parish council as that would be contrary to commons legislation.”

They added: “The PC has noted from parishioners’ verbal comments that this cottage is not at one (integral) with its immediate environment. Frankly, “it sticks out like a sore thumb” and, as noted earlier, it is felt to already be too large and having a detrimental effect upon its immediate environment. The proposed extensions would only make this far worse.”

Parish councillor Sue Wheeler told the planning committee that the parish council had been unanimously opposed to the planning application.

She said that the site was “already overdeveloped” and said that any extension would only make that worse.

Anthony Soady, Cornwall councillor for the area, said he was in support of the application saying: “I think it will improve the aesthetics of the site and surrounding area. I think it will tidy up the area and be an asset to the area.”

Committee member Mike Thomas said he was “troubled” by the application and said he had never seen such a lengthy submission from a parish council.

He said that it was important that the council work with parish councils to ensure that there is a “meeting of minds” on planning applications.

However the application was proposed to be approved and councillors agreed.