"The Case for Cornwall" and planning

In my second contribution in today’s Cabinet debate on the “Case for Cornwall,” I addressed the proposed “devolution ask” in relation to planning.

Obviously, MK and others are campaigning for a Cornish National Planning Policy Framework, but it is clear that central government is unwilling to accede to this. Within this context, the proposals that have been put forward are quite imaginative, for example, in terms of (i) Local Planning Practice Guidance Notes, which would allow a Cornish interpretation of the “national” policy framework, and (ii) potential initiatives to control second homes.

That said, the indication from the officers and Cabinet members speaking at the meeting was that central government was not looking favourably on allowing Cornwall greater planning controls, though we will have to see what transpires in the next couple of weeks.

As the Chairman of the PAC, I set out my commitment to help build the case for more planning powers for Cornwall.

I did also demand that the reference to the so-called – and increasingly unpopular – “eco-town” development near Penwithick be removed from the document.