Advice for Eco-housing in Cornwall on land in Helston

The pre-appication advice is being sought on behalf of Mr. J Thomas of Helston for a proposed new dwelling on land east of The Yard on Ratcliffes Lane in Helston. 

The pre-application for advice was validated on Friday, March 10 and is currently awaiting a decision.

According to the pre-application's supporting statement: "The house would be a full Eco home with solar panels and air/ground source. Raised on stilts with timber cladding and minimal glazing on the South Western side.

An example of the type of dwelling the plans would propose (Image: RA Design Ltd)

"The property would be a small 1-2 bedroom property and all parking and turning would be made from grid systems. The South Western edge of the site will be allocated to a wildlife garden designed by a landscape gardener for the species of animals that live in the area.

"We are trying to promote the property to be used and a wild garden area to respect the site location.

"The trees have been mentioned on previous applications for this site but there are no trees on the actual site. The proposed stilt style design would also mitigate any root damage (subject to a tree report) and allow all trees to remain surrounding the site with little to no impact."

It's hoped the design would blend in to the surrounding scenery (Image: RA Design Ltd)

The statement also explains how current landowner has said the maintenance of the site has become "increasingly difficult" and that both fly tipping and illegal fires have become a common problem, posing a danger to both the environment and properties in the surrounding area.

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The pre-app also states that the applicants would be interested in producing "a design that would make use of the land but also protect the local species and environment."

The plans would also allow for wildlife to be able to live and move without disruption. (Image: RA Design Ltd)

In its conclusion, the pre-application acknowledges a history of poor planning but looks to stress that the site is currently a 'dumping ground' and could be bettered. It says: "We understand the poor planning history on the site but would like the Council to realise that we are willing to better an effective dumping ground which currently has waste and tyres from fly tipping.

"It is not a safe location for any animals or plant life and we would be looking to respect that with this design.

The dwelling would be raised on stilts with timber cladding and minimal glazing (Image: RA Design Ltd)

"We are not looking to even be noticeable through the tree canopies and our aim is to promote the use of a site with no impact on its area or the town of Helston.

"I think the Council should see favourable on this and take into account the approvals nearby. I think special attention should be paid to the detail added into this pre-application and how much we care about the design and the area and respect the previousrefusals which is what has led us to a rethought design on both scale and appearance."

You can read the full plans here: PA23/00320/PREAPP