A fisherman’s hopes of building his own home as a way of staying in the village he grew up in have been dashed after councillors refused planning permission.

Tommy Phillips had applied for outline planning permission to build an affordable home on land off Barn Hill, Cadgwith.

Mr Phillips is a fisherman in the cove and was recently part of a community fundraising campaign to save historic fishing lofts in Cadgwith.

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He was applying to build a home for himself on the land which sits to the north of the village. No details were provided about the design or size of the property as it was an outline application.

Cornwall Council planning officers had recommended that the application should be refused as they felt that the site was not acceptable or sustainable for a new home as it was not considered to be located within or adjacent to an existing settlement.

They also said that it would “clearly result in material harm to the strong rural character of the area and will not conserve and enhance the landscape and scenic beauty of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)”.

Both the AONB unit and the National Trust had both raised objections to the application due to the effect on the rural site.

The council’s affordable housing team had given conditional support to the application as long as the home would only be occupied as a primary residence by someone with a local connection and that the home would remain affordable in perpetuity.

John Trewin from Grade Ruan Parish Council said that parish councillors had offered support for the planning application.

He said that Mr Phillips was “a 25year-old Cadgwith fisherman from a long line of Cadgwith fishermen”.

“He wants to live and work where he was brought up,” he explained.

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The field in Cadgwith where fisherman Tommy Phillips wanted to build his own home  Picture: Google

Cllr Trewin said that property prices in Cadgwith were “astronomical” adding: “He has no other way of owning his own home like all other young people. This is the only way forward for him.”

The parish councillor said that Cadgwith had a high number of second homes and holiday homes and that local people were being priced out.

He said: “One of the former fishermen’s cottages came up for sale recently for £1.1million. Another previous one was sold for just over a million as well.

“It is a major problem for young people, especially when you look at the moment. Tommy is local and has a small site at the top of the hill. This is the only way to own a home of his own, to self-build. This is the only thing he wants to do.

“I would hope that the council support this young man, our young people need all the help they can get.”

James Evans, speaking on behalf of Mr Phillips, said that while the proposed site was outside the settlement he did not believe it would impact on the character of the area or the AONB.

Committee members said they sympathised with Mr Phillips but said they were concerned about the impact that the development would have on the area.

They agreed to refuse the application with eight votes in favour, one against and two abstentions.