A CERTIFICATE of lawfulness has been granted for a proposed development that has been on hold for around 14 years in a village.

An application to build 28 houses, including 13 affordable homes, and a new vehicle access, was approved in 2013 for the site adjacent to the main road at the entrance to East Taphouse. The site also had a previous, different scheme approved all the way back in 2006.

The applicant Walter Gubbins has successfully applied to Cornwall Council for a certificate of lawfulness for the plans, citing proof that development had begun on the site prior to the expiry in 2016 of the most recent planning permission.

The preliminary work done at the site before 2016 included the siting of a pumping station and preparation of the road access, and the laying of several foundations for buildings.

The application form most recently submitted to Cornwall Council states that 23 homes are planned, together with the new vehicular and pedestrian access onto the A390.