Gillyflower site 'like Lostwithiel's Nearly Home Trees' in Cornwall

The Smits’ application includes 19 holiday aparthotel ‘domes’, a clubhouse, 96-space car park, reception and classroom at Gillyflower golf course in Lostwithiel.

It’s fair to say the plans have split the community in the Cornish market town. An original application, which included holiday lodges, a café and agronomy education centre, was previously refused after a huge backlash from locals, who submitted 300 objections and organised demonstrations.

More than 500 comments were left on Cornwall Council’s planning portal concerning the new application, which were more or less evenly split between those in favour and those against.

Some of the comments were so contentious the council’s legal department decided to take them all down – which caused not a little concern among members of the strategic planning committee on Thursday.

Many councillors commented they had never known so much communication from the public on a single planning application before.

'Our Nearly Home Trees'

Local member Cllr Colin Martin, who called the matter to committee due to the strength of local feeling, compared the current view as like Lostwithiel's version of the famous 'Nearly Home Trees' in Cornwall.

He explained: “It comes down to the Area of Great Landscape Value – actually it isn’t just an Area of Great Landscape Value. It’s the single most prominent hillside in the whole of Lostwithiel.

"In your community is there one view that tells you ‘I’m home’? Think about the Nearly Home Trees on the way down the A30. This landscape is as significant to people in Lostwithiel as those Nearly Home Trees.

"Framing the town with the church spire in the middle is this hillside. Those holiday lodges will literally be framing that church spire.”

He said it was important to acknowledge that the clubhouse in the new plans was much more discreet in the landscape, whereas in the first application it had looked like a “flying saucer on the skyline”.

But he said there was also a reduction in the benefits, from an internationally significant school for agronomy in the original application to a clubhouse for a part-time nine-hole golf course.

'Less than substantial harm'

The plans had been recommended for approval by the council’s planning department, which decided the balance of economic and social benefits outweighed harm to “the distinctive and natural character” of land within an Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) and “less than substantial harm” to nearby heritage assets, such as Restormel Castle, Grade 1 listed St Bartholomew’s Church, a registered battlefield and Lanhydrock parks and gardens.

Before the planning meeting started, chairman Phil Seeva, knowing the strength of feeling on both sides, warned people in the public gallery that he would not tolerate any “barracking”. There were so many people in attendance that a second room was filled with more Lostwithiel residents, who watched proceedings on screen.

Protesters against the Gillyflower development protest outside New County Hall / Lys Kernow in Truro (Pic: Lee Trewhela / LDRS)

Martin Surgey, on behalf of those against the proposals who believe it’s in violation of Lostwithiel’s Neighbourhood Plan, was first to speak. He said the council’s own report said that the benefit for trade in the town would be “neutral”, adding that employment would result in hospitality jobs which “are not in demand, which can be seen by the trouble local pubs, restaurants and hotels have in recruiting staff”. He pointed out that Historic England disputed whether the scheme had any public benefits.

Mr Surgey said the applicants had themselves admitted that approval would not necessarily guarantee the longevity of the golf course.

Peter Santo Warner, a retired chief planning officer, asked how members could give weight to objections when they didn’t know the strength of feeling on each issue.

Independent reports missing

Later in the meeting it became clear that two independent professional reports, paid for by objectors thanks to a crowdfunding campaign, hadn’t been seen by committee members as they were among all the public comments removed from the online portal by officers.

A number of councillors aired their concerns about this, with Cllr Andrew Long saying it created a “serious issue”. They were also unhappy that the hundreds of public comments had been reduced to a précis on two sides of paper.

The council’s solicitor told committee members that the independent reports had been considered by officers and any relevant details would have been included in their own report to members. Councillors were advised there was “nothing underhand” in the removal of the hundreds of comments and it was perfectly legal.

Supporters of the Gillyflower development in Lostwithiel outside New County Hall / Lys Kernow in Truro (Pic: Lee Trewhela / LDRS)

Cllr Phil Wisdom represented Lostwithiel Town Council which voted unanimously against the proposal. He said his council had cited 49 policy breaches. “The applicant and the case officer invite you to disregard them all on the grounds that this private business would confer greater public benefits than the harm it causes. Public benefits such as amenities for holidaymakers and golfers.”

He argued that the golf course has never been successful, with two “far better courses minutes away” at Lanhydrock and Carlyon Bay.

“The applicant says 250 people are keen to sign up providing this plan is approved. Where is that list? Suitably anonymised, it would have at least offered some proof of unmet demand.” He said some objectors believed the application was a “Trojan horse”.

'Health and wellbeing of the parish'

Duncan Tilney, representing applicant Alex Smit, mentioned that traders in the town had told a national newspaper that Lostwithiel needed inward investment. He pointed out there was no objection to the development from the council’s ecologist and mitigation of any impact had been part of the design process from inception.

He added that impact on heritage assets has been agreed by officers as being at the “lower end of less than substantial harm”.

Mr Tilney said the delivery of employment was a public benefit weighed against the harm to heritage, and the local provision of outdoor sports facilities is lower than for comparable towns. “A rejuvenated golf club would contribute towards the health and wellbeing of the parish.”

Supporters of the Gillyflower development in Lostwithiel outside New County Hall / Lys Kernow in Truro (Pic: Lee Trewhela / LDRS)

Andrew Clotworthy, president of Cornwall Golf, also spoke in support, saying how much of a benefit it would be to golfers in the county.

During a debate on the issue, Cllr Rob Nolan said he didn’t believe there was a need for the holiday accommodation in Lostwithiel and didn’t support it. Cllr John Fitter visited Lostwithiel this week and saw the green vista looking over to the application site. “I cannot accept these lodges and 96 car parking spaces all of which are intruding into the Area of Great Landscape Value.”

Other members agreed with Cllr Andrew Long that the harm outweighed the benefits.

The committee voted unanimously to refuse on the grounds that the development would harm the landscape and surrounding heritage assets such as Restormel Castle.

Councillors were told by a local authority solicitor that the applicant would likely appeal and there was already talk of a judicial review.