OUTLINE planning permission has been granted for the demolition of a locally-valued property to make way for six new houses in Saltash.

Dozens of local objections were lodged with Cornwall Council to the plans for Pounds House and its grounds at 127 Old Ferry Road.

The scheme will entail knocking down the existing detached building and the construction of up to six new homes.

While the design and layout of the new houses will be addressed in a full planning application, an indicative drawing shows two sets of semi-detached properties and two detached houses, each with parking for at least two cars.

Of 37 comments left by members of the public in response to the plans, 35 stated reasons for being against the scheme, chief amongst them that it would involve the demolition of a building of historic interest, and the loss of part of the heritage of Saltash.

Further concerns were expressed over the loss of habitat for wildlife in “one of the few remaining undeveloped green areas in Saltash”, the increase in traffic that the extra properties would bring, and drainage at the site: one nearby resident said that the drainage system already struggles to cope, and that “heavy rainfall causes flooding of sewerage and foul water”.

There was a feeling among several of those who commented that six new homes on the site would be “cramming” houses into the space available.

Saltash Town Council were also against the plans: the council said that the building was of historical significance to Saltash and that its green space had once been a market garden, and was designated as such on the emerging Neighbourhood Plan.

Members of the Council had also considered the applicant’s report to be “under-researched” and therefore not valid.

A heritage impact assessment submitted to Cornwall Council by K Metcalfe Heritage Ltd states that while the property is not listed, and falls outside the Saltash Conservation Area, the Council had hoped to have it registered as a locally listed building.

But having assessed the building against Heritage England guidance, Ms Metcalfe concludes that the property has “insufficient heritage interest to be considered a non-designated heritage asset”.

The former owner of the property also comments on Cornwall Council’s website. She says that for many years the home was lived in by her late aunt and uncle and that “no one had loved or grieved over the house more than I”.

She says that she decided to sell the house and garden as the structural work needed on the property was unaffordable.

She adds that the building “would soon become an eyesore” if allowed to deteriorate further. “I think both my Aunt and Uncle would very much prefer to see a group of fine homes built on the land than to watch Pounds House and the surrounding buildings falling into even further decay,” she writes.

“Please grant this application and bring this very sad situation to a conclusion.”

Following a request by Saltash Town Council that the application be called in to committee for decision, the scheme was debated at a recent meeting of the East Planning Committee.

Senior planning officer George Shirley had recommended the plans for approval, stating that the benefits of providing new housing outweighed the harm of the scheme.

Cornwall Councillor for Saltash Tamar Sheila Lennox-Boyd spoke against the proposal, as did Cllr Samuels.

A full and detailed debate took place, during which it was established that the fall-back position had been that the demolition of the property would already be allowed under permitted development rights, and that the site had been a late addition to the Neighbourhood Development Plan, and moreover that the NDP had conceded that there could be development in the grounds of Pound House.

The point was made that it would be difficult to defend a refusal at appeal, given the fall-back position. Outline planning permission was granted following a vote, with five in favour, four against and one abstention.