CHANGE of use for a set of holiday barns to residential accommodation has been granted by Cornwall Council.
The four holiday units at Killigorrick Barns near St Keyne, built in 2002, are each set within their own grounds and have individual gardens and parking.
The proposal for change of use has been prompted by a number of issues including low take-up of the holiday lets over the years.
There were concerns from a number of residents over the effect of the change of use on the local water supply. There is no mains connection to the hamlet of Killigorrick, said one resident, who said that theirs had “run out several times during the summer months” and that the proposals would cause inconvenience and expense to others.
Another corroborated this, saying that they had been “constantly pestered by disgruntled holidaymakers armed with a kettle and asking for water as theirs had run out”.
A third resident said: “Last summer was the first year in the 11 we have lived here that we did not run out. The main difference being a lack of tourists.”
Increased traffic to and from the hamlet and a lack of parking were further matters of concern.
But in his report, planning officer George Shirley states that the “harm resulting from the proposal would not justify a refusal of the scheme”.
“A number of objectors have raised concerns regarding water supply as there is no mains supply in Killigorrick,” he says.
“However, there are no restrictions to occupancy lengths at present, meaning all four barns could be occupied 52 weeks a year. Whilst this may not be the case every year, it remains that occupancy levels and water usage between the holiday use and unencumbered (residential) use could be similar.”
Turning to the issue of traffic, he states that “although local lanes are typically single track, the change from holiday lets to open market residential would not result in any significant highway implications”.