Planning permission for infill and rounding off in Cornwall generally follows the Cornwall Local Plan (CLP) Policy 3, aiming to fill small gaps (infill) or develop land just inside defined settlement edges (rounding off) for appropriate scale housing, avoiding open countryside, using Chief Planning Officer advice notes, and sometimes the Permission in Principle (PiP) route for suitability. Key factors are filling gaps in continuous frontages (infill) or developing enclosed land against a physical barrier like a road (rounding off), respecting settlement character, and aligning with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and local needs.

Key Policies & Guidance

• Cornwall Local Plan (CLP) Policy 3: Focuses on infill (small gaps in built frontages) and rounding off (substantially enclosed land at settlement edges).

• Chief Planning Officer's Advice Notes: Provide detailed interpretations of "infill" and "rounding off" to guide consistent decisions.

• National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF): Sets national principles for sustainable development, which Cornwall's policies build upon.

What's Allowed?

• Infill: Building in small gaps within an existing, continuous built-up street scene, not extending into the open countryside.

• Rounding Off: Developing land that's largely enclosed by existing buildings or features (like a road), gently "rounding off" the settlement edge.

• Previously Developed Land (PDL): Using brownfield sites within or next to settlements is generally supported.

What's Generally Not Allowed

• Large Gaps: Significant gaps that define the character of a settlement shouldn't be filled.

• Open Countryside: Extending development into genuinely open countryside is restricted, except for specific exceptions like affordable housing (Rural Exceptions).

The Process

1. Check Local Context: See if your site fits the definitions in the Local Plan and relevant Parish/Neighbourhood Plans.

2. Contact Cornwall Council: Engage with the Council's planning department (planning@cornwall.gov.uk) for specific advice.

3. Consider Permission in Principle (PiP): For housing, you might apply for PiP, which confirms location, land use, and quantity, with detailed design (technical details) considered later.

4. Argue Your Case: Developers often need to argue why their site meets the criteria, sometimes referencing court cases like Corbett v Cornwall Council for clarification on "immediately adjoining".

Key Considerations

• Scale & Character: Development must be appropriate to the settlement's size and character.

• Visual Impact: Must not visually extend the settlement into the countryside.

• Local Need: Often tied to meeting housing needs, especially affordable housing.

For further information and advice, please get in touch or book an initial free consultation.