Falmouth: Proposal to demolish car sales unit and build apartments

By Joseph Macey

16th Sep 2021 | Local News

The car sales unit, Dracaena Avenue.
The car sales unit, Dracaena Avenue.

Plans have been outlined to demolish a former car sales unit in Falmouth, and turn it into apartments.

However, the plans were met with a series of objections by the police (who are based just next door), Falmouth Town Council, the Principal Public Space Officer, and the Falmouth Penryn Conservation Committee.

Although the plans were knocked back in April by Falmouth Town Council it looks as if the applicant will come back with revised plans - as the plans are yet to be withdrawn, and further assessments have taken place.

If it were to go ahead, it would see the demolition of the former Cornwall Car Centre into 26 apartments with parking.

The proposed development includes 12 x 1-bed apartments and 14 x 2-bed apartments, while 18 of the 26 apartments would be M4(2) compliant (accessible and adaptable dwellings).

An application to build 19 holiday apartments was already approved in 2018, but the new application sees an increase in the number of apartments and a change to residential.

Objecting to the plans was Martin Mumford of Devon and Cornwall Police, who had concerns privacy and security issues, disruption from the skatepark due to the built next door, he commented:

"Due to the proximity of the site to Falmouth Police Station I have liaised with the Police estates senior management team regarding this application.

"They have expressed a number of concerns and have asked that we formally object to the scheme at this time.

"The main concern is that the proposal is now for permanent residential use and the possible issues that may arise due to the proximity of the adjacent park and in particular the approved skate park.

"Whilst I am not qualified to make a formal assessment of the likely impact of noise from the skatepark it seems likely that this could be an issue for any permanent residents of this block.

"Even if the skatepark surface itself will be relatively quiet then youngsters using the facility are obviously highly likely to be quite noisy."

After Falmouth Town Council's planning committee objected to the plans the current status of the application is "awaiting decision".

A spokesperson for the Town Council added:

"Recommend refusal, the new proposal is overdevelopment of the site and of poor design. There is a lack of amenity space for the number of apartments proposed. Concerns about the proximity to the Police Station and new approved Skatepark. The previous proposal for 19 holiday apartments is much more appropriate for this site."

The latest comments were at the end of June from Cornwall Council's Affordable Housing team, who said they wouldn't be supporting the application.

Dean Mutton commented:

"In the Design and Access Statement, they are proposing that 9 of the 26 apartments would be for affordable discounted sale but it doesn't state how many bedrooms each of the 9 units would have or identify the individual units.

"We have sought clarification from the agent but nothing has been received, it is therefore unclear whether or not this proposal will meet the policy requirements for the delivery of affordable housing and no financial viability information has been submitted to evidence why the police requirement of affordable housing cannot be delivered on the site."

Click here to see the plans for yourself.

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