Cornwall encompasses towns such as Truro, St Austell, and Penzance. Known for its coastal villages, heritage architecture, and tourism. Planning often focuses on conservation, rural development, and sensitive coastal projects. We can advise on residential, commercial, and extension schemes across the county.
In the last year Cornwall decided 4,956 applications which is well above the national average of 988. The approval rate was 93% (marginally above the national average of 88%) and 63% of applications were decided on time, (slightly above the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how Cornwall performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), (now often referred to as National Landscapes), are protected areas recognised for their exceptional scenic and natural value. For developers, this means that planning proposals within these areas are carefully scrutinised, with a strong presumption against inappropriate development.
Cornwall includes the Cornwall AONB regions. Development proposals must respect scenic and ecological qualities.
In our experience, one of the top reasons proposals in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are refused is causing landscape harm or visual intrusion, a risk that often arises when applications are not fully informed. We help minimise the likelihood of refusal with expert, guidance; contact us here.
Cornwall includes areas classed as Open Countryside, generally encompassing land beyond settlements and Green Belt zones, often used for agriculture or left as natural landscapes. Development in these areas is tightly controlled, with standard residential proposals rarely permitted.
Cornwall’s iconic coastal and inland countryside is nationally protected for its landscape, historic sites, and ecological value.
One of the top reasons poorly prepared proposals in the Open Countryside are refused is that they fail to demonstrate a policy-supported need. To minimise that risk with bespoke advice contact us here.
In some areas of the LPA, flood risk plays a key role in determining planning proposals. Extensive estuaries, a long coastline exposed to Atlantic storm surge, and numerous steep river valleys combine to make flood risk a widespread planning constraint across the peninsula. Where constraints permit, we can develop proposals that manage flood risk thoughtfully to give applications the best chance of approval.
Nutrient Neutrality ensures new developments do not increase harmful nitrogen or phosphorus levels in sensitive waterways. Parts of Cornwall draining to the River Camel SAC require phosphorus neutrality for new residential development. Unfortunately, Nutrient Neutrality can halt development completely. If you need early-stage, project-specific advice contact us here.
In addition to acting as Planing Conultants we are ARB registered architects with 25+ years of experience. Our planning proposals are creatively tailored to each site to maximise potential and improve planning outcomes. We use the following tried and tested process to guide clients in Cornwall through planning to completion:
We work collaboratively with clients and shape a design that respects local character and meets Planning Policy requirements in order to maximise your chances of winning Planning Permission.
Cornwall encompasses towns such as Truro, St Austell, and Penzance. Known for its coastal villages, heritage architecture, and tourism. Planning often focuses on conservation, rural development, and sensitive coastal projects. We can advise on residential, commercial, and extension schemes across the county.
In the last year Cornwall decided 4,956 applications which is well above the national average of 988. The approval rate was 93% (marginally above the national average of 88%) and 63% of applications were decided on time, (slightly above the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how Cornwall performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), (now often referred to as National Landscapes), are protected areas recognised for their exceptional scenic and natural value. For developers, this means that planning proposals within these areas are carefully scrutinised, with a strong presumption against inappropriate development.
Cornwall includes the Cornwall AONB regions. Development proposals must respect scenic and ecological qualities.
In our experience, one of the top reasons proposals in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are refused is causing landscape harm or visual intrusion, a risk that often arises when applications are not fully informed. We help minimise the likelihood of refusal with expert, guidance; contact us here.
Cornwall includes areas classed as Open Countryside, generally encompassing land beyond settlements and Green Belt zones, often used for agriculture or left as natural landscapes. Development in these areas is tightly controlled, with standard residential proposals rarely permitted.
Cornwall’s iconic coastal and inland countryside is nationally protected for its landscape, historic sites, and ecological value.
One of the top reasons poorly prepared proposals in the Open Countryside are refused is that they fail to demonstrate a policy-supported need. To minimise that risk with bespoke advice contact us here.
In some areas of the LPA, flood risk plays a key role in determining planning proposals. Extensive estuaries, a long coastline exposed to Atlantic storm surge, and numerous steep river valleys combine to make flood risk a widespread planning constraint across the peninsula. Where constraints permit, we can develop proposals that manage flood risk thoughtfully to give applications the best chance of approval.
Nutrient Neutrality ensures new developments do not increase harmful nitrogen or phosphorus levels in sensitive waterways. Parts of Cornwall draining to the River Camel SAC require phosphorus neutrality for new residential development. Unfortunately, Nutrient Neutrality can halt development completely. If you need early-stage, project-specific advice contact us here.
In addition to acting as Planing Conultants we are ARB registered architects with 25+ years of experience. Our planning proposals are creatively tailored to each site to maximise potential and improve planning outcomes. We use the following tried and tested process to guide clients in Cornwall through planning to completion:
We work collaboratively with clients and shape a design that respects local character and meets Planning Policy requirements in order to maximise your chances of winning Planning Permission.
