By Richard Whitehouse

Developers wanting to build a new retail park on the outskirts of Truro say they are “surprised and extremely disappointed” that planning permission has been refused.

Marsh and Baxter had submitted plans for a retail park at Hendra near Threemilestone but it was refused permission by a Cornwall Council officer, under delegated powers last week.

Due to the coronavirus crisis there are currently no meetings of planning committees being held by Cornwall Council so any planning applications are being decided under delegated powers by planning officers.

Under the proposals the park would have provided a new stores for Aldi, Boots and Next as well as having new retailers Smyth’s Toys, Go Outdoors, Shoezone and restaurants for the likes of KFC.

But Cornwall Council planning officers decided to refuse permission saying that they were concerned that the retail park could have a negative impact on Truro city centre.

That comes after objections were raised by a number of groups including Truro City Council, Truro BID and Truro Chamber of Commerce who were concerned about “poaching” of retailers from the city centre.

Next currently has a store in Pydar Street in the city centre but announced earlier this year that it will leave that store in January 2021.

And the high street chain said that it would be able to have a larger store at the retail park and would be able to increase the number of people employed in Truro.

Marsh and Baxter had previously been granted planning permission for a retail development on the site after a successful appeal when Cornwall Council previously refused permission.

The developers had submitted the new proposals which increased the number of outlets which could be accommodated on the site.

Today the firm said they would be considering their options and whether to appeal the decision after being told that planning permission had been refused.

Will Marsh said: “We were surprised and extremely disappointed that the Local Planning Authority saw fit to refuse our application. We thought that progress was being made and we did not expect a refusal by delegated powers that was made with little warning. We are reflecting on the decision with our advisers and retailers as to how we respond.”

Duclie Tudor, Cornwall councillor for Threemilestone and Gloweth as well as a Truro city councillor, welcomed the decision to refuse planning permission.

She said: “I’m pleased this application has been refused. It reflects a desire by Cornwall Council planners to protect Truro City Centre from the challenges facing its status as a retail destination. The retail park application forms part of the wider development plans for the Langarth area and it is my hope that the same such stringent and comprehensive scrutiny is brought to bear on every single forthcoming application in the whole of the Langarth development area.”

This article has been supplied to Cornwall Reports by the BBC Local Democrcy Service