The recent Caradon Council planning fiasco in Calstock, highlighted by the Cornish Times, is nothing new but seems to be a problem of long standing. Recently in Polruan, a large out-of-scale house built on a small plot which overshadows its neighbours, was allowed. Adjacent to, but not belonging to it, two large detached garages were built with an ugly concrete block Berlin Wall butting onto them. The wall was built in contravention of planning guidelines and became the subject of appeal. The Government Inspector allowed the wall, commenting that it would be far less intrusive than either the garages or the house.
Elsewhere, balconies have been allowed which intrude upon the privacy of nearby properties, whilst others of similar nature have been refused.
Some years ago a private estate was built on a hill overlooking the River Fowey. In a TV programme it was said to be perhaps the worst planning decision ever made in Cornwall.
Curiously an area of open ground, immediately below, within the village conservation area and a haven of wildlife, has recently been cleared, presumably in an attempt to stop any protests and to bounce both local and Caradon Councils into granting planning permission for more private houses. These will probably join the 25 percent of private houses in the village which are already second homes. Earlier still the council built some 50 retirement bungalows at the top of the steepest hill in the village and about as far away from the village shops, pubs and surgery as is possible to get.
If this cleared land is to be built upon, it should be used for sheltered housing for the elderly and infirm being much closer to the village centre. Their vacated bungalows should be used to house young local people who, whilst not wanting to leave the village, have little choice at present due to the shortage of suitable accommodation for them; they are after all the future of the village and without them the village will slowly die.
Name and address supplied.