The plans for housing and a new park on Castle Drive have been given conditional approval (16th).

The plans see six residential units built on the site of a former oil depot and the development of a new town park.

There has been high praise for the application with the Falmouth Civic Society also voicing their support for the scheme.

At a planning meeting at the beginning of March Councillor Spargo commented:

"I think it is a fantastic scheme, it will be better the older it gets because of the planting, great for the town, I don't see any issues with it."

The Falmouth Civic Society commented:

"We support this application as this is a very positive thing for Falmouth, and a rarity to get something of quality and public benefit."

The proposed buildings (units 1-4) are part buried into the hillside to ensure that views from the re-doubt are protected and enhanced.

The park access will be off Castle Drive in two locations (one stepped and the other on a slight ramped incline) and includes a path network that integrates the historic world war II trenches.

The path network will enable visitors to gain a series of views out of the site.

In a concluding statement, the planning officer's report read:

"The redevelopment of this brownfield site is welcomed and is an opportunity to greatly improve the character and appearance of this part of Pendennis Headland.

"The proposal integrates 6 dwellings into this important rising landform, stepping the development up the landform so it recedes into the wider character of the headland and does not sit proud of the surrounding terrain.

"There seems a missed opportunity in the design and layout of the park in that there is no pedestrian access from the top platform to Pendennis Headland.

"A pedestrian link is considered important to prevent unwanted access routes being created by members of the public who once they have climbed the slope to the top, want to access the headland to the east. A connecting pedestrian link should be explored with the adjacent landowner.

"Further detail needs to be submitted and agreed through planning conditions to ensure the detailed design, choice of building materials, boundary treatments and planting will not detract from the landscape character, scenic and historic value of Pendennis Headland."

Click here to see the plans for yourself.

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