A planning application has now gone in for a new retail park to be built on the edge of Helston – but people will have to wait a bit longer to see the details.

Parsonage Developments actually submitted the application for full planning permission as far back as July 16.

However, to date the application is still yet to appear on the Cornwall Council website.

Last year the Packet revealed that a development company had come forward with a possible interest in the area of land off the Cottage Hospital Roundabout, known as Hospital Cross.

The land sits between Flambards and Captain’s Lane and currently comes under the control of the Downsland Trust, a charity that owns a number of assets in Helston, pockets of land, and also gives out grants to organisations.

It has been for sale for a number of years, but up to that point had not been taken up.

However, an ex trustee of the charity said that an 'option agreement' had been put in place with a development company.

This is a technical term often used in land sales. It essentially gives a developer the option to purchase the land if planning permission can be obtained on it, without the risk that they will be compelled to buy it if no permission is granted.

It meant they had until July 23, 2021 to apply for planning permission and then until 2022 to take up the option.

Parsonage Developments and planning agents Pegasus have now posted on their public consultation website, landathospitalcross.co.uk, that a planning application was submitted on July 16 this year.

The company said the final scheme incorporates four units:

A 1,853 square metre (gross internal area) unit to be used by The Range, a 1,790 sqm GIA supermarket to be occupied by Aldi, a 350 sqm GIA drive-thru restaurant for a McDonald’s a 167 sqm GIA drive-thru coffee shop for Costa.

The amended site plan to include Costa in the bottom left hand corner Picture: Pegasus

The amended site plan to include Costa in the bottom left hand corner Picture: Pegasus

It added: "The development proposals also include associated vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access, parking, servicing, landscaping and land for biodiversity enhancement

"Full details of the applications are available on Cornwall Council’s website and, once validated, you can comment upon the applications. Please note there is a three-week public consultation period after validation."

Cornwall Council has confirmed to the Packet that an application was submitted to the council on July 16, but there were some "minor administrative matters to be addressed" before the application could be registered.

Once the application is validated and live on the council website the public consultation process will begin.

Parsonage Developments was recently told by Cornwall Council that there was no need for an environmental impact assessment on the site.

READ MORE: McDonald's and Aldi retail park bid in Helston environmental decision