National Trust Appeals Refusal of Car Park Expansion

The National Trust has lodged an appeal against the rejection of its planning application to enlarge one of its car parks located in Cornwall. The organization sought to augment parking capacity at its Trelissick estate, situated in Feock, close to Truro, citing “growing visitor demand” as the rationale. Furthermore, it stated that the expansion would help alleviate vehicle queues, which have historically led to traffic congestion on the B3289 during peak summer periods. In May, a committee of Cornwall Council denied the trust permission to expand the parking facilities at the location by 104 spaces, bringing the total to 524. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the application detailed plans to modify the existing car park to accommodate 299 spaces and to establish a new 225-space car park on land currently occupied by woodland and an orchard on Dicky Lane, across the thoroughfare. The proposals incorporated a pedestrian crossing designed to connect the proposed new car park with the estate’s house, gardens, and riverside parkland. Members of the planning committee expressed their “concern” that the proposed plans could result in traffic congestion and hold-ups, potentially causing passengers and emergency vehicles to miss ferry services. The committee was informed that the proposal had garnered more than 120 public objections, with only three expressions of support. The National Trust issued a statement, asserting: “The proposal will ensure that Trelissick Gardens, as one of Cornwall’s key tourist attractions, is able to provide in a safe and sustainable manner, for the growing number of visitors to the region and residents living in the region. “In doing so, the proposal will deliver material benefits to the regional economy, including by the retention of its employees, who will benefit from a safer, less stressful and more accessible place of work.” An independent planning inspector has been assigned to supervise the appeal process. Individuals who had previously lodged objections were notified on 6 November, and any new or additional submissions are required by 9 December.