A fourth business could be joining McDonald's, Aldi and the Range in Helston if planning permission is granted.

Earlier this year it was revealed that a new retail park was being proposed at Hospital Cross, on greenfield land between Flambards and RNAS Culdrose, which is currently owned by the Downsland Trust.

An "option to buy" agreement is in place with a development company, and in January a public consultation was launched by planning agents Pegasus Group on behalf of Parsonage Developments, about the land being developed for the three stores.

However, a fourth is now shown on the latest site plans – with a drive-thru Costa coffee shop being added.

Due to the amended design, a second screening opinion application has been submitted to Cornwall Council, to decide whether there is any need to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

After the first request in February, Cornwall Council had decided that there was not a need for such an assessment – contrary to the opinion of local environment and climate groups, such as the Helston Climate Action Group, which have previously claimed that the land is home to a badger sett and is frequently visited by owls, deer, and sparrowhawks among other animals.

 

The amended site plan to include Costa in the bottom left hand corner Picture: Pegasus

The amended site plan to include Costa in the bottom left hand corner Picture: Pegasus

 

The second screening opinion request, approved on Tuesday this week, includes a heritage assessment put together by the proposal's planning agents Pegasus Group.

It goes into recent planning history for the site, which includes a planning application for a motel on the northern part of the site that was refused in 1995.

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The report states that the comparison goods store with garden centre (previously identified as the Range), food store (previously named as Aldi), drive-thru restaurant (identified before as McDonald's) and coffee shop with drive-thru (shown on the latest plans as Costa) would be accompanied by vehicle access from Helston Downs, car parking and servicing yard.

The updated site map shows Costa being planned for an area previously set aside for car parking, with the parking layout appearing to be rearranged to fit more cars in on the middle section of the site.

The heritage report states that the development would be kept on the two 'northern parcels' of the site - the two closest to the road - with the most southerly 'parcel' retained as undeveloped space with potential for biodiversity enhancement, and the trees and hedgerows in this part to be retained.

The development would involve removing the field boundary between the northern and middle fields.

 

The location of the land, between Flambards and RNAS Culdrose Picture: Pegasus Group

The location of the land, between Flambards and RNAS Culdrose Picture: Pegasus Group

 

A site visit was undertaken by a heritage consultant from Pegasus Group on March 29 this year, with the report stating: "Preservation does not mean no change; it specifically means no harm."

It goes on to add that to date there have been no recorded archaeological works within the site, stating: "The historic landscape character of the site is categorised as medieval farmland within the northern half of the site and post-medieval enclosed land within the southern half.

"These groundworks will only take place within the northern and central parcels of the site, with the southern parcel remaining undeveloped, open space.

"Groundworks of this type have the potential to disturb, truncate, or destroy any archaeological deposits; however, as set out above, the potential for significant archaeological within the site is considered to be very low."

It is not possible for the public to leave comments on the proposals at this time.

A document included by the council clarifies that the request is for a screening opinion and not a planning application on which comments can be submitted.

It adds that while details have been made public, because they are not planning applications they are not subject to the statutory consultation or notification requirements.

It states: "If, following the advice given in response to this screening opinion request, a planning application is submitted, statutory consultations, notifications and publicity will be carried out and you will then have the opportunity to comment."

"Alternatively you may wish to contact the applicant/agent direct beforehand using their details provided on-line, to make them aware of your concerns."