Site Options and Assessment 2023, Updated 2024
This report is an assessment of potential development sites in Ponsanooth Parish to guide decision making on Neighbourhood Plan policies relating to housing. It has been prepared to provide advice and recommendations to the Ponsanooth Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) group.
Master Plan
The Ponsanooth Site Masterplan Final Report, created by AECOM in October 2023, explores plans for developing land behind the Old School in Ponsanooth for housing and possibly a new rail halt.
The report provides a broad plan based on research and site visits, showing how good design can support a well-planned and sustainable development. It examines the local area, planning policies, and key opportunities and challenges. It also presents three different development options, each balancing housing needs and open space in different ways, before recommending a preferred approach that considers sustainability and community needs.
This masterplan acts as a guide to ensure new developments fit well with Ponsanooth’s character and future vision. It highlights the importance of sustainable housing, encouraging walking and cycling, and protecting the local environment. The report is intended for use by developers, landowners, planners, the parish council, and community groups. It also outlines next steps to help deliver a high-quality development that benefits the village.
Development and Settlement Boundaries
Development and Settlement Boundaries are defined lines drawn around existing built-up areas to identify where development is generally acceptable in principle. Inside the boundary, small-scale housing, employment, and community development can be supported where it is in keeping with local character and infrastructure capacity.
Land outside the boundary is treated as countryside, where development is more strictly controlled and generally limited to uses appropriate to rural areas such as agriculture, forestry, recreation, or affordable housing under specific rural exception policies.
These boundaries help manage growth in a sustainable way, prevent sprawl into the open countryside, and provide clarity for both local residents and developers about where future development is expected to occur.
Such boundaries must be very carefully drawn up to ensure they are robust and properly reflect local circumstances.
The Ponsanoooth NDP includes development and settlement boundaries that were defined in this document: