20th January 2017
By Graham Smith
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Plans to build 95 homes on the site which was once earmarked for a Sainsbury’s supermarket in Wadebridge look set to get the go ahead.
Officials are recommending the scheme, at Higher Trenant, should be approved – despite objections from both Egloshayle parish council and Wadebridge Town Council, who believe the site should be reserved for employment.
The land, next to the former council offices – now occupied by Cormac – has been the subject of speculation for nearly 20 years.
Hawks Meadow Properties (Wadebridge) Ltd is seeking to build 95 homes, 30% of which would be affordable.
A report to the planning committee says: “The proposed residential use of the site for up to 95 houses would assist in delivering the housing target for Wadebridge (minimum of 1,100 homes over the plan period), as well as contributing towards meeting the needs of those who are unable to access the local housing market through the provision of 30% affordable housing.
“It would also add to the mix and choice of housing within the area. The proposal would accord with the Government’s objective of boosting significantly the supply of housing.
"The proposed development, if delivered, as a result of its significantly lower levels of traffic generation in comparison to the extant permission for a supermarket, would free up capacity of the highway network which is currently restricting the deliverability of growth within the Town, namely potential housing sites.
“This is considered to be a positive environmental and economic element of the proposal.”
Cornwall Council planners are due to meet in Bodmin on Monday 30th January to make a final decision.