Budock Water, Falmouth Persimmon Homes planning appeal

Cllr Alan Jewell told the appeal hearing into the refusal of Cornwall Council to allow Persimmon to build the homes on fields between Budock Water and Falmouth that he had last farmed them possibly 25 years ago.

He said he had been producing hay and silage etc for his cattle which produced milk and beef for human consumption.

Councillors Alan Jewell and John Bastin in one of the fields to be built on (Image: Supplied)

Cllr David Saunby, who also attended the appeal at the innovation centre on Tremough Campus said it was clear that Persimmon had all their big guns out to uphold their appeal, against one Cornwall officer James Holman, who was representing Cornwall Council to refuse the appeal.

Cllt Jewell likened the appeal to David against Goliath. did say to the Inspector it was like David against Goliath.

"I believe in fighting fire with fire," said Cllr Saunby and in my opinion Cornwall Council should have had all their big guns out to fight Persimmon."

In his final statement to the inspector after the two day hearing, Cllr Saunby said the fight was the Budock's Alamo, although he hoped it had a different outcome.

Rural Budock remains a separate community from urban Falmouth, and that this will be destroyed if the Inspector rules in favour of Persimmon, by building on the two fields in question, which acts as the green buffer between Budock and Falmouth."

Persimmon Homes had applied to build the homes and infrastructure on the “greenfield site” off Bickland Hill.

The application was refused by Cornwall Council's planning committee in March despite being recommended for approval by the planning officer. The company appealed.

The informal two day hearing before a hearing started on September 28 at Tremough Innovation Centre, Tremough Campus, Penryn.

The site comprises a total of 1.26 hectares of agricultural land, on the western flank of Falmouth, within the Parish of Budock.

It is bounded by mature hedgerows and hedge banks abutting Bickland Hill to the South, South-East, and is internally divided with additional hedging running North-West / South-East.

The northern extent of the site connects to existing residential development and committed housing for 300 residential units, with Phases 1 & 2 wrapping around the northern periphery; this is controlled by Persimmon Homes (Cornwall). 

Persimmion Homes has said the proposal makes the best and most efficient use of land, significantly contributing to the housing supply, of both market and affordable units, whilst ensuring a high quality design through both the built form and landscaping.

It said the development would not have an unacceptable adverse impact on the occupiers of the nearby dwellings and would provide suitable open space and play areas open to the public.