“Where is it all going to end for Coverack?” This was the question asked by St Keverne’s parish councillors when they put forward a resounding ‘no’ to plans wanting to replace a bungalow with a four-bedroom house.
The final decision on the application is still to be made by Cornwall Council, but St Keverne Parish Council has recommended refusal after meeting on Thursday evening.
At the February 1 meeting of the parish council, members considered plans by Truro-based architects and planners Laurence Associates, submitted on behalf of the Measham family.
The proposal is to demolish the existing bungalow Kenyn Peder at 5 Bounder Treath, Coverack, Cornwall and in its place build a two-storey house comprising four ensuite bedrooms, gym and open planning living area with balcony upstairs, together with a double garage.
The applicants say they want to move to the area as a family and believe the proposal is “sensitive” to the area, with the architects describing the existing property as “outdated and in need of substantial renovation works, due to its substandard construction.”
However, neighbours and local residents describe the intended replacement house as a “mega mansion” and say they are tired of “people who think Coverack is another branch of Center Parcs for their holidays.”
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Locals have the support of St Keverne Parish Council members, who after viewing the application have put forward a strongly worded letter of objection to Cornwall Council as one of the official consultees.
It reads: “This proposed replacement dwelling is grossly out of keeping with the others in the cul-de-sac in the midst of a mature development.
“It will cause overlooking and loss of privacy for neighbours and, in this day of recycling to protect the environment, would mean a lot of rubble and construction materials going to landfill for no good reason.
“The building is perfectly capable of being updated and brought up to modern day EPC requirements as some neighbouring properties have already proved.
“Just because there are properties below this that have modern designs it does not follow that this one has to as well, otherwise where is it all going to end for Coverack?
“St Keverne Parish Council recommends refusal of the application.”
The plans for the proposed new house show that the ground floor would comprise of the master bedroom, with an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe; another second large bedroom with an ensuite for the applicants’ daughter; two guest bedrooms, both with ensuites; a hallway; a gym; a utility room with a WC and shower/drying room; a cloak room; and an airing room. There is also to be a double garage which would include a plant room.
The first floor would consist of an open space dining, kitchen and lounge area; a study; WC, an outdoor balcony; and a void over the ground floor hall.
A bat house is proposed in the loft space above the garage, as well as recessed bat brick boxes on the north, west and east facing elevations.
Full plans can be found on the Cornwall Council planning portal via its website, reference PA23/10271, where there are now 26 public comments, all of which are in objection.
They include one from the resident of the last bungalow to be built in the Bounder Treat cul-de-sac. She says: “To get planning permission for this property, the plot had to be dug down extensively, in order for the overall height to be at a certain level.
“How can plans possibly be passed - based on this - for a two storey building, a couple of doors down from me? It beggars belief!”
The applicants say the want to use the proposed new house as their full-time main residence, with Laurence Associates stating: “Given the site currently contains a dwelling and is within a residential area, it is considered that the high quality and sensitive design would ensure that the proposed development sits well within the site in terms of the identified environmental constraints.”
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