Camborne

12. The following notes have been recieved by email over the last week and have been summarised below:

i. The housing report from 2004(?) is a Costly and Comprehensive survey based on 5,000 interviews on behalf of Carrick, Kerrier, Penwith and Restormel and is therefore pretty accurate compared with other ‘assumptions’.

ii. The RSS ‘s figures for housing were based on an ANNUAL ECONOMIC GROWTH of 2.8% per year over the next 20 years – and what is happening? The growth rate is significantly reduced

iii. Inward migration into Cornwall from London and the South East is 150,000 per year, with 110,000 leaving. Net gain 40,000

iv. Overall average earnings in Kerrier @ £17k (times 3.5 for a mortgage equates to affordable houses needing to be £59,500)

v. 40% of the population in Kerrier have an income of less than £15k and therefore in ALL plans, rented accommodation must be for at least 40% of the plan. The meeting for the phase 1 (see 11. below) on the old Holmans site reduced this figure to 20% to improve profitability for the developer

vi. There is a 60% requirement for 2 bed accomdation. Is this what all the current plans demand?

vii. The total need for CPRI is for 1800 homes only!!

viii. The indigenous population of Kerrier is REDUCING!! This is what needs attention NOT just building more houses for
inward migration.

11. PLANNERS RULE OK !!

Members of TA sat through a county planning meeting on Tuesday 2^ndMarch 2010 where a planning application for 93 new homes for phase 1 of yet another major development for Camborne was to be heard. The meeting was held in Dolcoath road council offices where the only microphone which seemed to work was that of the chairman and a good deal of what was said by councillors and members of the public was inaudible to the public gallery.

That said, a council planner employee stated at the start of the meeting that his recommendation to elected members was for one of acceptance of the planning application.

A strong case was put forward by Jean Charman for a deferral based on the fact that this is a development which is not wanted by the local community. This was brushed aside by the planner who stated that only one objection has been received by the council for this development.
Another comment that there should be a deferral due to the fact that both the RSS and the AAP were on hold was similarly brushed aside by the planner who said that it was irrelevant, and members should ignore the comment. This was despite the fact that the planning application gave reference to the draft RSS.

It soon became apparent that the council employees were determined to get this application through on behalf of the developers and made several implied threats that a refusal would certainly mean a costly appeal. These implication did not sit easily with some councillors and members of the public who were present.

Numerous points were raised by councillors and at the final vote, some of which were quite bizarre, the application was approved by 7 votes to 6. Given the strength of feeling of many of the members of the public present, the meeting ended in some degree of bitterness.

The voting was as follows:

VOTING AGAINST APPROVAL WERE

Bill Jenkin Conservative b.jenkin@cornwall.gov.uk

Stuart Cullimore MK s cullimore@cornwall.gov.uk

kim Willoughby Lib Dem kwilloughby@cornwall.gov.uk

Ruth Lewarne Lib Dem rlewarne@cornwall.gov.uk

Pam Lyne Indep plyne@cornwall.gov.uk

John Coombes Indep jcoombes@cornwall.gov.uk

VOTING IN FAVOUR WERE

Mike Clayton Indep. mclayton@cornwall.gov.uk

Lisa Dolley Indep. ldolly@cornwall.gov.uk

Neil Hatton Conservative neilhatton@constantine@cornwall.co.uk

Joan Tanner Conservative jtanner@cornwall.gov.uk

Morwenna Williams Conservative mowilliams@cornwall.co.uk

Roger Harding Conservative sales@rchardingandson.co.uk

Irene Bailey Indep. 01736710278

Councillors Bailey (Ludgvan) Clayton (Wendron) Dolley (Redruth N) Harding (Newlyn & Mousehole) Hatton (Constantine) & Tanner (St Ives) all saw fit to discount the fact that locally elected Camborne Town Councillors, who, after considering the feeling of the local residents, had recommended a refusal of this application on THREE different occasions, and instead followed the recommendation of the council employee.

Councillor Williams (Troon and Beacon) decided to vote against the wishes of her own Town council, of which she is also a member

BY TA: When the unitary was formed against the wishes of the majority of Cornwall residents it was pointed out that voting on planning applications would be undertaken by councillors who are not normally resident in the area for which applications would be made. They would in all probability be unfamiliar with the area and the depth of feelings of local area residents which would only be heard by the local Town or Parish councils. Members would be forced to take advice of council employees who are as much in the dark about feelings of local residents as the majority of members on the planning committee. It begs the question are either the employees or some of the members concerned about public feeling anyway !
So there we have it - Who controls what is being built in the Duchy? A few council employees. Who takes notice of the effects on the local residents? A few elected members. What can we do? Until the planning process is made really democratic, and not the charade of the so called public consultations, NOTHING ! except…. If you are not happy with it, tell your Cornwall Councillor and write to the leader of the council expressing your concern. If we don’t do it en-mass, we will have to accept the Status-Quo and we will get mass building forced on us.

Unfortunately this is yet another case of chickens coming home to roost and we will continue to see more until somebody gets hold of the Duchy planning process by the throat and shakes some sense into it.

We would recommend that members of the public contact their councillors and express any concerns that they may have.

The council employee with the majority of say at this meeting was an individual called Broomhead and TA were dismayed to hear a comment from one member of the public who stated that he (Broomhead) would recommend approval of a planning application for a pig pen in a bathroom if a developer put forward such an application.

It was however noted that through the evening Mr Broomhead did recommend approval for every planning application put forward and this will help the acceleration towards the point where vast tracts of agricultural land will be covered in concrete. After the planners retire on gererous pensions, and jet off to sunnier climes, and the developers move on to destroy other areas of our once green and pleasant land, it is us, the indigenous population, who will be left behind to live in the mess they have created.

10. Residents and developers do battle over housing plan
West Briton 11^th Feb 2010

BATTLE lines have been drawn in the latest showdown over attempts to win planningpermission for housing at Higher Pengegon.

Camborne town councillors on Monday sided with local residents opposed to the outline application for 30 properties.

Cllr Jean Charman said: “This is the third time plans have come forward and basically little has changed.”I object because this is overdevelopment on a greenfield site. These houses, some three storeys high, would be completely out of context withthe surrounding area.”

Planning committee members voted unanimously to recommend Cornwall Council refuses permission.

An application last year for 34 houses on the same site was rejected in spite of officers’ recommendation for approval.

David Sames, the applicant, said the town council’s grounds for refusal were essentially no different to those raised during town council’s arguments with the original application, the strategic planning committee considered none of these to be watertight, so none formed the basis of their final reasons for refusal.

“It is most disappointing that the town council continues to draw upon old arguments and not focus their energy upon measuring the new application directly against the strategic planning committee’s two grounds for refusal, reducing overall density and reducing the impact upon neighbouring properties.”

Mr Sames said his company, KerthenwoodHomes, had responded to the reasons for refusal. He claimed also to have gained the support of a number of previously opposing residents.

More than 20 residents attended Monday’s meeting and Cllr Charman insisted: “If this proposal is approved it will set a precedent and open the flood gates for developments on neighbouring fields.”

Local historian David Oates warned that the site was highly contaminated.”When disturbed, these contaminants are released into the environment.”

A history of problems with flooding was highlighted and the need for the houses was questioned.

By TA: It’s difficult to see who, apart from the developer, actually wants to see these houses built. It would seem that the local residents don’t want it and the Town Council PlanningCommittee have taken their views into consideration when coming to a decision. As with THF Homes in Connor Downs and West Tolguswe appear to have a situationhere where its though that developers have been given the god given right to build housing estates wherever they want, irrespective of the concerns about the environment and viewpoint of local residents.

As we have stated before, Planning officers may recommend or not, but it is the role of the elected members to consider all aspects of the case and decide accordingly. It is not their role to rubber stamp plans simply because a planning officer has recommended them

9. West Briton report 28th January 2010

The new Redruth to Camborne east-west link road was given a bumpy ride before the final stretch was granted planning approval by Cornwall councillors last week.

The £46 million road is viewed as essential to the regeneration of the whole area, but some councillors believed that rather than ease traffic congestion, it would create additional problems.

The importance of the project was stressed by planning officers and eventually, the area planning committee at Camborne gave the go-ahead by a 9-3 majority.

Sections of the road are already in use and Cllr Bill Jenkin, who is mayor of Camborne, said it would be ludicrous at this late stage, after years of negotiations and consultations, to vote against it.

Planning Officer Mark Broomhead told councillors: “This new road is essential. It will relieve congestion on the main Camborne-Redruth road and through Brea village. I cannot stress how importantthis is to the regeneration of the area.”

It is hoped that construction on the stretch from Dolcoath Avenue, Camborne, to Dudnance Lane, Pool, via a new bridge over Chapel Road will begin next year and be completed by 2013.

An objection was received from Camborne Town Council and the owners of South Crofty mine, but the application was supported by Carn Brea Parish Council.

Mr Broomhead added: “The road constitutes an important catalyst for the regeneration of the area. It will improve highway safety, relieve existing roads and enhance sustainable transport.”

Cllr Stuart Cullimore, who voted against, said he remained convinced it would lead to more traffic problems in Camborne and Pengegon and he was supported by Cllr Pam Lyne who said: “The more roads we have, the more cars we have.”

A majority of the committee took the opposite view. Cllr Morwenna Williams insisted: “It is an integral part of the plan to revitalise the area” and Cllr Jenkin stressed: “Roll on its completion.”

Cllr Mike Clayton also said it was far too late now to question the need for the new road.

BY TA: CamborneTown Council along With Croftyobjected to this proposal but the objectionswere overruled. Once again we appear to have a situation where a Town Council, acting in considered response to the majority of their local residents, have been discounted by another set of our elected representatives who, rather than listen to the true voice of the area, have followed the advice of an unelected planning officer.

It is presumably safe to assume that with regard to Camborne, the town Council planningcommittee felt that it was appropriate to oppose this development in considerationof the views of the local population. However, Mr Jenkin, who is the Camborne Town Mayor, Camborne Town Councillor for Camborne West and Cornwall Councillor for Camborne North, along with Mrs Williams, who is Town Councillor and Cornwall Councillor for Camborne South, have both voted in favour of the development. Confused? So are we. This does however, beg the question, who is acting in the best interests of the area electorate? andis the perceptionthat there is an intrinsic weakness, in some instances, where avoidance of confrontation with council employees is an easy option.

There is another grave issue here which every resident in Corwall should be alarmed about. Take Cllr Mike Clayton, who represents Wendron, and had also previously stated about the Boilerworks Road development in Camborne “It would be neigh on suicidal to oppose it” and has never answered our letter asking why he took this view

He said about this road plan that it was far too late now to questionthe need for the new road. (Notice a trend here?) If this isn’t another idiotic statement, what then was the purpose of the meeting if not to purely rubber stamp a decision which has already been made and recommended by the PlanningOfficer. Thankfully we appear to have some Councillors withthe power of their own convictions to disregard silly statements and vote according. Contensious words? Yes but if this is an example of our decocraticsociety we are in real trouble. What is the purpose of having an elected representative if this is the mindset they adopt?
Without good reporting from the West Briton, would any of us know what our councillors are doing in our name !

Perhaps Councillors Jenkin and Williams would care to reply as to why they have voted in support of this development against the wishes of their own Town Council, of which they are a part !! andwe again invite Councillor Clayton to respond to our previous letter and to justify his comments here.

8. Press release 19^th January 2010-01-19

Starts:

: Trelawney Alliance

THE FIGHT CONTINUES SAYS TRELAWNEY ALLIANCE

The Trelawney Alliance, who are opposed to mass building in Cornwall, hosted a meeting last Friday in the magistrates court in Camborne. Presentations were made by representatives from the County planning department, Cornwall Council andthe CPR regeneration group. Statements relating to their political party views on proposed mass building were also made by Julia Goldsworthy MP (Lib Dem), George Eustace PC (Con), Loveday Jenkins PC (MK) & Derek Elliott PC (UKIP)

A packed hall of over 200 members of the public, Cornwall councillors and town and parish councillors from Camborne & Illogan listened to the presentations which mainly concentrated on the Area Action Plan for the Camborne, Redruth, Pool and Illogan areas, and the association of the plan with the Regional Spatial Strategy documents.
This was followed by a general question and answer period where many in depth questions on the policies being followed and adopted by officials were put to the panel by the audience.

Trelawney Alliance Chair, Councillor Jean Charman, said of the meeting, “I would publically like to thank all those who attended to make the meeting a huge success and I apologise to those unable to get into the crowded hall and to all those present who wanted to raise issues but, because of time constraints, were unable to do so.
What the meeting achieved was to raise the known fact, to the decision makers, that there is much concern over the way these plans are being agreed and implemented in the residents name” Councillor Charman added, “Many questions concerning the viability of these plans were not presented due to limited time, or some answers to asked questions were unclear. Trelawney Alliance will compile these questions and request answers in writing from the appropriate people, andwe will display both the questions and answers on our website.
This meeting has shown that Trelawney Alliance is representing a considerable number of local area residents who are unhappy with the plans being forced on existing residents by central Government, and we will continue to monitor what the County officials are deciding on our behalf and question any, and all, points on which we have concerns”. Councillor Charman finished by saying ” Our feedback from the meeting indicates that there is a general lack of confidence in the way the AAP is being forced on us by central Government”

Ends

7. Government is using ‘blackmail’ says council

THE Government has been accused of using ‘bureaucratic blackmail’ to force through the building of up to 2,000 houses on greenfield sites on the outskirts of Camborne. Cornwall Council cabinet has given the green light and council officers are now urgently conducting consultations with landowners and residents in the Treswithian, Penponds and Boundervean Lane area. Cabinet members were told this had to be done to meet the requirements of the Government Office for the South West (GOSW). Speaking against the proposals, local Cornwall councillor Dave Biggs condemned the process as ‘bureaucratic blackmail’ in relation to expected school improvement grants. He added: “We know what the requirements for the Camborne-Redruth area are and these policies have nothing to do with local need. This is about Government targets. The GOSW is trying to force centralised policies on us and if we don’t play ball then the fundingfor things like the Schools for Future will be withheld until we do. The funding for the rebuilding of our local schools was widely expected to succeed as our bid was rated second out of 74. The bid for Camborne Science and Community College was particularly important. Cornwall Council has now been told to resubmit its bid. I think it is too much of a coincidence that funding for Camborne School has been held back and then Cornwall Council have been pressured into building 2,000 houses next to it.” Fellow Cornwall councillor Stuart Cullimore,-whose ward includes most of the landearmarked for housing, supported Cllr Biggs, saying: “I too think it is completely outrageous that the council should be blackmailed in this way. The proposal for mass building needs to be scrapped so that the whole process can go back to the drawing board.”

Leading the campaign against the building of more than 11,000 new homes in Camborne, Pool, Illogan and Redruth over the next 20 years is the Trelawney Alliance. Its chairman, Camborne councillor and former mayor Jean Charman, said: “The main industry in Cornwall today is tourism, so the planners and the GOSW all feel the way forward is to concrete over the county. Trelawney Alliance will fight against this. We are already working hard to bring what is happening to our county into the public domain.”

Trelawney Alliance will hold a public meeting on Friday, January 15, at 7pm in the Magistrates Court at Basset Road, Camborne. Nigel Tipple, from CPR Regeneration, will be the guest speaker and a county planner will also be there to answer questions.

6. BOILER WORKS ROAD – MORE GREENFIELD LAND LOST

Reported in the West Briton 27^th August.

Cornwall Council this week overturned a recommendation of refusal by Camborne town council and approved plans to build 270 new homes at Boiler Works Road. This is in addition to the approval given for 90 new homes on adjoining land and there are also plans for more houses on a neighbouring site.

A Government inspector and the Secretary of State have decided that the Greenfield site have both agreed that the land was suitable for development, and of course, they would know wouldn’t they !!

Despite concerns from local councillors about the need for Greenfield land for future food supply, the scale of the development and pressure on the local infrastructure, Councillor Mike Clayton stated that: “It would be neigh on suicidal to oppose it”

By TA

We would like to ask why suicidal? Is the planning committee disregarding local democracy and simply rubber stamping what the Government in London see as a requirement?

Those county councillors supporting the build andwho agreed to overrule the town councils recommendation to oppose it were councillors:

Irene Bailey elected by the residents of Ludgvan
Mike Clayton elected by the residents of Wendron
John Coombes elected by the residents of Hayle South
Roger Harding elected by the residents of Newlyn & Moushole
Neil Hatton elected by the residents of Constantine
Morwenna Williams elected by the residents of Troon & Beacon
Kim Willoughby elected by the residents of Carn Brea South

TA will be writing to all of these councillors asking them to explain the reasons why they have made this decision in our name and would advise all the residents of Camborne who are opposed to this mass build to do the same.

5. EVEN MORE GREENFIELD LAND LOST

Reported in the West Briton 27^th August

Camborne town council supported local residents in their opposition to the plans for a crematorium on Greenfield land just outside Camborne. When considering the planning application, the former Kerrier District Council decided to oppose the application.

Mike Robbins from the planning inspectorate decided to overturn the decision made by Kerrier Council anddisregard local objections in favour of the arguments put forward by the Crematoria Management who appealed against the Kerrier decision.

Mr Robbins conceded that he had identified that there would some harm to the countryside from the introduction of the building, roads and parking areas but this would be mitigated by the comprehensive approach to design and landscaping.

By TA:

Really ! – Whatever ‘spin’ is put on this, prime agricultural land will be lost – forever and just as importantly, the democratic rights of local residents are again being ignored.

The decision has been described as undemocratic, unfair and a disappointment. One person, it seems, who is happy with the decision is Richard Evans, the managing director of Westerleigh Group Ltd (Based in Bristol) who will run the crematorium.
We assume that Mr Evans doesn’t live adjacent to the site.

There were many months of discussions at local level involving our elected councillors and residents prior to Kerrier District Council making its decision not to approve the planning application.
In contrast Mr Robbins spent 3 days in the area, having come down from wherever he came from, before overturning the decision

4. Heritage site proposed for conversion

There is a proposed sale of the Camborne Old Girls Grammer school. The estate agents Goldring and Yates say it has been declared surplus to needs by Cornwall Council and its 1.6 acre sight presents immense conversion potential. So we are looking at yet another potential development within our town.

What seems to have been forgotten or ignored is that this old County School is part of the town’s heritage and should be preserved as such, we have lost almost all of our historical buildings in recent years, The School of Mines and Holman’s No One Works have been demolished by Tescos. VeorHouse has gone, Holman’s No three works has been left to fall down taking its historic buildings with it.

When are the planners and Cornwall Council going to realise that this area of Camborne is a designated World Heritage Site? This building should be secured for the people of our town.

At present the building houses the Children’s Centre with its child related activities, it also has a drop in cafe. Parents are devastated by the loss of this valuable centre, services here included at one time a crèche, sensory garden, Todlins Group, a community art room, Sat Dads and a family learning group.

At a recent Town Council’s Amenities meeting it was proposed that Camborne Town Council looks into the possibility of securing this building for the town.

There are many associations within the town who lack a base and would be prepared to use this building, six such groups have already been contacted who say they would seriously consider locating there. It could be made financially viable and certainly needs to be made accessible to the local community.

For further information you can log onto this website www.enthuseit.com

3. News from the West Briton 28/5/09

Planners have cleared the way for 2 £multi million developments at Pool (We presume the long term building site). An 80 bedroom hotel, office & commercial properties will front Tolvaddon Rd and Gas Lane and 122 homes and 200 student flats will be built on the former school of mines and old Pool school sites. We are not quite sure where this fits within the AAP (See below) unless it does’t, and this is in addition. Perhaps the planners would like to advise.
The planning officer, Kevin Moseley, is reported as saying that the schemes would ‘enhance’the area. (His opinion presumably) and Councillor Moyle is reported to have said that over the next 40 years there will be massive changesto the area and implied that the roads will become very busy, and witha 1,000 pupil school there, the speed limit would benefit from a 20 MPH limit in the area. The paper reported that Mr Moseley doesn’t see a problem with that. Thats a relief then, so all is well, and no doubt there is a happy developer somewhere !

If you are not happy with what the planners are doing you need to object now. Write to them in the council offices at Dolcoath Rd, Camborne.

2. The Planned Build

Rosewarne                  175 homes
Boilerworks Rd         575 homes
Trevu Rd                        75 homes
Pengegon                       95 homes
Dolcoath                       390 homes, 5,000sqm Office space, 3,000sqm Light industrial space
Tuckingmill South    120 homes
Tuckingmill North    350 homes
Treswithian             1,870 homes, 2,000sqm Office space, 2,000sqm Light industrial space
Killivose                       540 homes, 1,000sqm Office space, 1,000sqm Light industrial space
Town Centre             Unrestricted appropriate comparison retail. Unrestricted appropriate office development within the secondary retail frontage area, plus offices on upper storey within the retail core.

Summary - These figures were extracted from the Area Action Plan (AAP) Feb 2009. The above figures are as recorded on page 14 of the report and total 4,190. However, the map on page 8 of the same report appears to read 4,910 in total. Perhaps the planners would like to enlighten us.

The population recorded in 2000 was 16,465 and is now estimated to be in the region of 20,000. 4,910 homes could increase the population by 12,275 (based on 2.5 people per home) which equates to an increase of greater than 61%

1. We see that there are two reports in the West Briton this week (7/5/09)

a). NEW COUNCIL MAY HAVE TO PAY £100,000 COSTS IN NEW HOMES ROW.
A developer wanted to build a small housing estate of 34 homes (presumably outside the AAP) at Higher Pengeggon.
This is a development which local residents objected to claiming that it was outside the development boundary and within
a World Heritage Site. A view which was supported by both Camborne Town Council and the CPRE.
The councils area planning committee voted 9 - 2 against the plan.
A planning officer repeated his recomendation for approval because an (un-named) Government planning officer had decided that the site was suitable to build on.
It seems now that there could be an appeal to the Councils Strategic Planning Committee which has the right to overturn the decision and ignor the concerns of the local residents.

b). HOUSING WILL DESTROY WOODLAND AND WILDLIFE
A development of 9 homes which involves the destruction of 26 trees in Rectory Road, which have been a significant feature in Camborne for generations has been opposed by the Town Council. The meeting was told by a councillor that it would not just be the trees that are destroyed but also the important wildlife habitat, and another councillor added that the application would ultimately destroy the remaining woodland and wildlife.

TA Comment.Whilst there is obvious concern regarding the loss of huge areas of greenfield land as a result of the Government induced plan to build nearly 70,000 new homes in Cornwall, there are instances like this continuing in the background. These are two instances, in one week, in one small area of Cornwall. Our green and pleasant land is slowly being eroded. Is this part of the natural growth? Who knows, but clearly our elected Councillors, representing us, feel that even if it is, its not the right place.

MAKE THE POWER OF DEMOCRACY WORK. - THE COUNCILLORS AND THE MPs WORK FOR US. - GET THEM TO RAISE OUR CONCERNS. - REMEMBER, UNLESS WE TELL THEM, THEY WON’T KNOW.

7. Government is using ‘blackmail’ says council

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