A former Falmouth music venue could be turned into a restaurant after being left empty for three years.

The plans were discussed at a meeting of the Falmouth Town Council planning committee last night (25th).

Popular Falmouth bar, live music venue, and nightclub MONO based on Killigrew Street closed its doors in 2018 - the building has been vacant ever since.

However, plans are in motion to revive the building after an application was lodged by Mr T.Hoang & Mr D.Jones to form a restaurant with accommodation above.

Here's how the new restaurant, bar, and accommodation could look. Credit: Harpr Surveyors Ltd.

Councillor Eva voiced his support of the plans, commenting:

"You walk past that building and it is a mess. It has been a mess for three years. It brings another building back into use which has been closed for three years. What's in front of us is a restaurant and a single dwelling, it doesn't matter if they are planning to turn it into student accommodation, we can only go on what is in front of us."

However, concerns were raised that the six-bed premises could be turned into an HMO (House of Multiple Occupancy) further down the line.

Councillor Spargo added:

"The fact that it is a six bedroom dwelling automatically means it is a HMO. That doesn't mean it should be refused. It's just an HMO."

Councillor Rowe, committee chair, said that due to an article 4 direction in the town it can't be a new HMO, "it could be an Airbnb, but it can't be an HMO," he added.

The planning committee recommended approval for the application – which will now go to Cornwall Council.