CORNWALL COUNCIL
Cornwall Council is the Local Planning Authority (LPA) and administers the planning system in Cornwall by preparing Local Plans, determining planning applications and carrying out enforcement against unauthorised development.
To view or submit a formal comment about a planning application go to Cornwall planning register
To find out about making a planning application go to Cornwall make a planning application
Applicants are asked to provide certain documentation that is detailed in the Cornwall Validation Guide
LOOE TOWN COUNCIL
The Town Council also plays an important role as a statutory consultee of the LPA by commenting on development proposals that affect the immediate area. Our response to planning applications is decided at monthly Planning Committee meetings which are open to members of the public. If you would like to attend a meeting or to send a comment to committee members, please email enquiries@looetowncouncil.gov.uk or ring 01503 262255 by 12 noon on the working day before the meeting. Details of all meetings can be found at LTC planning meetings, agendas and minutes.
Although the Town Council’s recommendations will be taken into consideration, the final decision on whether to approve or refuse a planning application is made by Cornwall Council. We encourage any members of the public wishing to comment on an application to post their views directly on Cornwall Council’s planning portal.
PLANNING POLICY
The following three tiers of planning policy will be a material consideration in decision making:
1) National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (adopted 2012 and updated 2021)
2) Cornwall Local Plan Strategic Policies (CLP) (adopted November 2016)
3) Looe Neighbourhood Plan (NDP) (adopted May 2022)
THE CONSERVATION AREA – Additional Planning Requirements
Maintaining Looe’s Distinctive Character
In 1973 Looe was made a Conservation Area because of its special architectural and historic interest, the character and appearance of which it was considered desirable to preserve or enhance. Historic England explains what this means for homeowners see Historic England advice.
Article 4(2) Directions
To support the aims of the Conservation Area an Article 4(2) Direction also applies in Looe’s historic core which means that alterations normally classed as ‘permitted development’ will need planning permission. This includes replacing windows and doors, erecting a porch, changing roofs and chimneys, erecting or demolishing a boundary wall or fence and painting or rendering a building’s facade.
Further details and a map of the Article 4 area are provided in this leaflet Article 4(2) Directions for Looe.
POLICY REPORTS & GUIDANCE relevant to planning applications in the Conservation Area:
- NPPF Conserving and enhancing the historic environment (paras 189-208)
- Cornwall Local Plan Policy 24 Historic environment (page 80)
- Cornwall Interactive Mapping showing Looe conservation area and listed buildings
- Looe Neighbourhood Plan Draft (contains many relevant policies but not yet formally adopted)
- Looe Conservation Area Character Appraisal
- Looe Conservation Area Management Plan
- Looe CISI (Cornwall Industrial Settlements Initiative) gazetteer and maps
- Looe Heritage Guidance Notes 1. Shopfronts and Signage
- Looe Heritage Guidance Notes 2. Roofs and Rainwater Goods
- Looe Heritage Guidance Notes 3. Windows and Doors
- Historic England – I Want to Alter my Windows
- Historic England – I Want to Change a Door
- Cornwall Shopfront Design Guide
- Cornwall Design Guide Section 7 Building Design
- Advisory only guide to flush casement windows v stormseal windows
- Advisory only extract from Caradon Design Guide (windows, dormers/roof-lights, doors and shopfronts)
LISTED BUILDINGS
Irrespective of the Conservation Area or the Article 4 Direction, permission is required for the demolition of a listed building, or for its alteration (both inside or out) or extension, which is likely to affect its character as a building of special architectural or historical interest, see advice on listed buildings.
TREES
Please note that in conservation areas, the planning authority needs 6 weeks notice for works to trees that have a trunk diameter of more than 75mm, see trees in Cornwall’s Conservation Areas.
