Campaigners opposing a housing development in Camborne applauded councillors when they rejected a planning application.

The application to build 23 homes on land off Tregenna Fields in Camborne went before Cornwall Council’s west sub-area planning committee for a third time on Monday.

It had previously gone before councillors in October and December and on the last occasion the committee deferred it and requested that the applicant withdraw the proposals.

The request was made after councillors refused a reserved matters application – one to deal with details after outline permission is granted – for a neighbouring site off Tregenna Fields.

Outline planning permission is already in place for 94 homes to be built on the site and the applicant, Mr Mitchell, had sought reserved matters approval for items relating to the level of affordable housing and layout of the development.

However councillors refused permission due to concerns about surface water drainage which they said were “unsustainable”.

The separate full application for what was referred to as “phase one” of the development for 23 homes was then deferred as the only road access to the site was through the phase one development.

But despite the request from councillors Mr Mitchell asked for the application for 23 homes to be considered today because outline planning permission is still in place for the neighbouring development.

He also made a commitment that no work would start on the smaller development until the reserved matters issues on the larger site had been resolved.

Planning officers had recommended to the committee that the plans should be approved saying they comply with the development plan and do not cause significant harm.

John Buddle, a local resident opposed to the development, said there was “no sound reason” for the application to go before the committee.

He said that without the larger development there was no access to the site so planning permission could not be granted.

Mr Buddle added: “Bringing this back to the committee with a recommendation to approve is utterly bizarre in the circumstances.”

He said: “The residents are totally united in their distress and anger at this proposal.”

Mr Buddle said there were also concerns among residents that a third phase of development was also set to be submitted.

Another objector criticised the council for holding the committee meeting in Penzance saying that it had previously been scheduled to be held in Camborne. They said that people objecting had had to travel to attend the meeting.

Mr Mitchell told the committee that the plans for phase one were still in place and there was work being done to resolve the issues around the reserved matters.

He also highlighted that there was a commitment to sign a Section 106 agreement which would provide funding towards public open space, education and road improvements in the area which he said “will help the impact on the local community”.

Committee member David Biggs, who last time spoke in opposition to the proposals as the local member, said there was “no certainty” that the first phase would go ahead.

He said for that reason the application should be refused as there was no access in place for the development.

Cllr Biggs proposed that the application be refused and was seconded by Mike Thomas.

The committee voted 10 in favour and one against with two abstentions to refuse planning permission.