CALSTOCK residents will have to get planning permission to make any small change to their properties from today (Thursday).

Under new laws, property owners within the Calstock Conservation Area will have to obtain planning permission for changes to any chimney, window, door, roof, gate, fence or wall, for the erection of a porch and for the painting or rendering of any natural stone wall.

Caradon and Calstock councillor Liz Gardner requested the introduction of the law under the Town and Country Planning Order 1995 following a similar action in Looe.

A meeting of Caradon's planning services committee last March supported the proposal.

'It's something I've been looking for ages,' said Mrs Gardner. 'It's very easy for places to lose their character with the removal of a small wall here or replacement of a window there.'

The direction does not prevent individuals undertaking work, but requires them to get permission first.

Approval would not be automatic since the council expects residents to retain the character of their building. There is no fee payable for such an application.

Letters went out to residents yesterday to gauge the response to the new proposals and the direction.

Conservation officer Dave Moore said: 'We put the order in place, it will come into operation today. People then have 28 days to make representations to the council.

'These are reported back to the planning services committee who will decide whether or not to confirm the order.'

The order will lapse in six months if not confirmed by the council.

Mr Moore said people, who had already made changes that might be considered unacceptable, would not have to make fresh changes. But he said when replacements came due they would try to coax people into putting in more traditional changes.

A copy of the direction can be inspected at the Calstock Development Trust offices in Fore Street between 10am and noon, weekdays, or at the Caradon Council offices in Liskeard.

Any objections must be submitted, in writing by April 1, to the Forward planning and countryside services manager at Caradon District Council at Luxstowe House, Liskeard, Cornwall. PL14 3DZ. Quote reference DM.

For further information please contact David Moore 01579 341461.