A controversial planning application for a pond that has already been created without permission could lead to “disaster” and have “disastrous consequences”, the Planning Commission has heard. Thousands of people opposed the development and subsequent application,
Art dealer Barnes Thomas, who appeared on Bear Grylls’ show The Island, has applied to preserve the 80m x 30m pond he built on his property. He said he didn’t realize he needed planning permission. However, residents living in the Cot Valley near St Just in west Cornwall have launched a petition to protect the landscape and remove the pond. It was signed by over 4,500 people.
The proposal came before Cornwall Council’s west area planning committee today (Tuesday 28 May). The key issues outlined by planner Diane Boardman were the visual impact of the pond in relation to the National Landscape (formerly known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), the risk of flooding and the impact on bird strike hazards at nearby Land’s End Airport.
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But it said the application was supported by sufficient flood risk information, while the Environment Agency raised no objections, subject to conditions.
Land’s End Airport objected, but Ms Boardman said the application was supported by a bird strike management plan. Cornwall’s National Landscape Team also objected that the pond – which has been described by some as more of a lake – partly fills part of the valley. “However, due to the scale of the development in terms of visual impact, it is not considered significant by the planning department, so its impact does not warrant refusal,” the planner added.
