A church conversion in Falmouth; flats in Camborne and affordable homes in Redruth are among the latest planning applications submitted to Cornwall Council. Every week more than 100 applications are validated by the council and we have selected some of the more interesting proposals.

All planning applications submitted to the council have to be validated and are available for inspection by the public. Anyone is also allowed to submit comments about the applications – whether in support or objection.

The majority of planning applications are decided by planning officers at Cornwall Council under delegated powers. However, some applications will go before elected councillors who sit on planning committees.

No dates have been set for when the planning applications below will be determined. They can be viewed by going to the planning portal on Cornwall Council's website at www.cornwall.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/

Conversion of former Methodist Church

New plans have been revealed to convert a former Methodist church in Falmouth into a mixed-use space including commercial units and flats. A design and access statement says that the church held its final service in 2022.

The planning application is for the change of use of the building and the documents state that no changes would be made to the outside of the building with only internal alterations planned. Under the proposals the ground floor would be for commercial use; the first floor would be flats and the second floor would continue to be used as a community and private function space.

A planning statement submitted with the plans explains: "The proposal involves a change of use of the former Methodist Church to a composite use including commercial spaces on the ground floor, apartments on the first floor and retaining the second-floor space for a community and private function space.

"This adaptive re-use of the building, as set out in the following details and the associated plans, is considered to comply with the prevailing planning policies and provide a genuine opportunity to utilise the space in such a way as it will provide vitality to the town centre and retain the heritage values of the place."

For more information about the plans and to submit comments search for planning application number PA22/11305.

Plans for town centre flats

A planning application has been submitted to build 16 flats in Camborne Town Centre. The application is for 16 one and two bedroom flats on a site at Trelowarren Street in Camborne.

The site has previously been used for commercial shops along with storage and flats and is considered to be a brownfield site. 

A design and access statement submitted with the plans says: "We consider this site to be a good use of this piece of very untidy land used as sporadic parking that is difficult to police as the site is not easily accessed and overlooked from the shop units so therefore unauthorised parking and dumping is prevalent."

It adds: "This property will give additional accommodation to help with the lack of housing in the area and Cornwall in general. The one and two bedroom flats are the type of units that are in short supply in the Camborne/Redruth area for younger people to get on the housing ladder and for young families to upgrade to a two bed flat when their families grow with additional children."

To view the plans or submit comments search for planning application number PA22/04643.

Affordable homes plan

An outline planning application has been submitted for an affordable housing-led development in Redruth. Warmstar Properties is seeking permission to build up to 23 homes on land at Sandy Lane.

The proposals would provide up to 23 affordable homes with a mix of single and two-storey buildings including both houses and flats. Five of the homes would be accessible and one will be fully disabled accessible.

A planning statement submitted with the plans explains: "The indicative scheme responds to the current affordable housing need in Redruth, which currently equates to over 600 households. The size of dwelling, number of bed spaces, and accessible reflect the proportions applicable to the current requirements.

"The mix of tenure of the proposed housing would accord with the Cornwall Council SPD, equating to 50% social rent and 50% intermediate affordable housing for reduced sale or rent."

To view the proposals and submit comments search for application number PA22/05181.