Plans to build new homes on the edge of a village have been rejected after councillors raised concerns about the affordable homes in the development, writes local democracy reporter Richard Whitehouse.

An application to build eight new homes on land off Vollards Lane in Hatt, near Saltash, was refused planning permission by Cornwall Council’s east sub-area planning committee.

Under the proposals, half of the properties would have been affordable, with four affordable bungalows and four open market homes.

Planning officers had recommended that the application be approved as long as the applicants gave a commitment to providing the affordable homes as well as a financial contribution for education and open space.

Debbie Newcombe, planning agent for the applicant, said that the developers had agreed to those conditions and that the development would provide much needed affordable housing for the local area.

Botus Fleming Parish Council had objected to the application, saying that it was not sustainable and would not meet the requirements of the environment.

Local Cornwall councillor Jesse Foot had also objected to the plans and said that it would “result in some of the best and most versatile farmland” being lost.

He said: “The benefits do not outweigh the harm and the impact on the environment would be negative.”

Cllr Foot said that the village pub had closed and there were no facilities for education, employment or shopping. With the nearest school more than three miles away, families could end up having to pay for school transport, he said.

Planning officers had indicated that the development would be on a rural exception site which allows development in such a location if it was providing affordable homes to meet local need.

However, committee member Andrew Long said he felt the plans did not comply with the policy as he did not consider the homes to be an equal 50/50 split between open market and affordable.

While the number of homes was equal, the number of bedrooms provided was outweighed by the open market homes – the affordable homes would have two bedrooms each while two of the open market homes would be two-bedroom properties and two would have three bedrooms.

Meanwhile, Cllr John Fitter was concerned about the proposed layout of the development saying that the affordable homes would be located next to the road while the open market properties were away from the road.

Cllr Derek Holley said that he was concerned both about the affordable housing and also the distance of the site from the village itself.

The committee voted to refuse planning permission with 13 votes in favour and two against.