Flora Day venue’s weddings request refused

Concerns about noise have scuppered plans to turn one of Cornwall's most celebrated listed properties into a wedding venue. Mr and Mrs A Corbridge applied to change the use of land at Lismore House in Helston to allow for civil wedding ceremonies but a planning committee has voted against it.

Lismore, on Cross Street, is most famous for opening its grounds to thousands of people each year as part of the route of the annual Flora Day in Helston. Cornwall Council's west sub-area planning committee heard today (Monday, July 24) that the applicants wanted to erect a temporary marquee for a maximum of six weddings a year for ceremonies and receptions with catering, bar and toilet facilities. They said it would provide a service to the local area as well as supporting local businesses.

However, the council's planning department recommended refusal on the grounds that the weddings would have an unacceptable impact on neighbouring dwellings due to noise and disturbance caused by music, guests and vehicle movements.

Almost 150 people have commented about the proposals on the council's planning portal, with 77 supporting and 68 raising objections, including Nicholas Serota, former director of the Tate and current chair of Arts Council England, who was one of those opposing the plan.

Another objector Jonathan Dinnewell told the meeting that all-day wedding events in the heart of a quiet, residential zone within Helston's conservation area should not be allowed. He said that the "ill-conceived plan" had received overwhelming rejection by "very many dozens of neighbouring residents, many of whom are here today".

Another resident spoke in favour of the proposals. Kevin Moseley said: "This application has caused considerable interest in the town. As people opposing the application have generally written on multiple occasions there are a great many more people supporting the application than opposing it. Neighbours have raised numerous objections to the proposal but your officers have noted there is only one issue of concern – the impact on neighbours from noise and disturbance. The applicants have addressed this issue by arranging for guests to park on a site in Porthleven with minibus transport to Lismore."

He pointed out that the grounds are open to the public on Flora Day, for a Proms in the Park event and on royal occasions "with no problems in the past". Mr Moseley added: "The development would greatly help in the upkeep and costs of the premises."

Cllr Guy Foreman, local member for Helston South & Meneage, added: "With the cost of living crisis affecting everyone it's understandable that people like the applicants are looking for ways of offsetting the extra cost being forced upon them."

He said that a private party with over 80 guests for the Queen's platinum jubilee received no complaints, adding: "Guests don't go to weddings to cause anti-social behaviour and upset neighbours and embarrass the wedding party."

Cllr Loveday Jenkin worried about the possibility of damage caused by lorries going in and out of the premises. She wondered if the application should be refused and the applicants look at temporary event notices and come back with more detailed plans about impacts on the listing building. She was told there could be a temporary planning permission with conditions attached if the committee so agreed.

A proposal for temporary planning permission didn't get a seconder and the committee voted in favour of the original recommendation to refuse.