Plans to build four new homes on the edge of a village have been refused planning permission over concerns about the impact the development would have on the rural area.

David Malt had submitted a planning application to Cornwall Council to build the new properties on land off Bassett Road, Illogan.

Planning permission had previously been granted in 2019 for two properties to be built on the site.

Council planning officers had recommended the application should be approved but there were objections from Illogan Parish Council and local Cornwall councillor David Ekinsmyth.

They were concerned that doubling the number of homes to be built on the site would be overbearing for neighbours and cause visual harm.

One of the neighbours, Guy Cullimore, told the committee that if the new homes were built they would block natural light to his home and he would have to have lights on all day.

Illogan Parish Council raised concerns about overlooking of neighbouring properties and said the homes were of “unacceptable design”.

Parish councillor Maggie Thompson told the committee the plans were “not sustainable economically, socially or environmentally”.

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Cllr Ekinsmyth said it was “very disappointing” that the council was having to consider a new application after it had agreed to allow two homes to be built.

He said that a development of modern homes on the site would cause material harm to the setting and locality.

Cllr Ekinsmyth said that the provision of four large detached homes would also not help meet local need for housing.

Committee member Mark Kaczmarek said that he had “every sympathy” for the neighbours but said that he could see no planning reasons to refuse the application.

He added: “The previous application that we have approved has helped the applicant to get another two (properties) in there. Whether we like it or not, that is planning.”

Bassett Road, Illogan. Picture: Google Maps

Bassett Road, Illogan. Picture: Google Maps

His comments were backed by Graham Coad who said that there was “stacks of room” for two homes and would be more than enough for two more.

However Mike Thomas was concerned about Cllr Kaczmarek’s comments that the previous approval had paved the way for the new application.

He said: “I find it very, very hard and I think the public will find it very hard to understand.”

A proposal from Cllr Kaczmarek, and seconded by Cllr Coad, to approve the application was lost at the vote with just two councillors in favour and 11 against.

An alternative proposal to refuse the application was put forward on the grounds that it would cause material harm to the rural environment through modernisation and harm the rural character of the area. This went through with 11 councillors in favour and two against.