Days after a bid to have land at Bosvale in Falmouth designated as a village green failed, detailed plans for a housing development for the elderly and a new community centre were revealed.

It was initial proposals from Falmouth Rotary Club, the Abbeyfield Society and Bosvale Community Association (BCA) for the site which prompted local residents to apply to Cornwall Council to have the 0.86 hectares declared a village green in July 2013.

The residents, led by Kathryn Philpott, signed a petition and provided details of how the site had been used for recreational purposes, dating back 20 years. Local Cornwall Council member, Alan Jewell, supported the residents as did Falmouth Town Council which recognised the field had been “well used as an area of public resort” and was an important green area to protect.

However, on Friday, Cornwall Council published its decision to reject the application for village green status on the grounds that its use by the public is “by right” and not “as of right.”

Councillor Jewell said: “It is very disappointing. It is one of the last bits of green area in Falmouth and they just want to alter it.”

On Monday, it was announced that an application for outline planning permission was to be submitted this week to create “an innovative community project.” The Rotary Club and BCA having joined forces with Abbefield to deliver £15 million investment into a “groundbreaking blend” of community facilities and specialist older people's housing that is “set to be a model for the rest of the UK.”

The proposals include a community centre occupying almost ten per cent of the site, giving round the clock security and high quality facilities to the 12 or more community groups that will use it.

A series of six dedicated community rooms on level one of the Bosvale complex to replace the existing dated Bosvale Community Centre building and its two storage containers and 75 five extra care flats for the elderly, of which at least 40 per cent will be offered at affordable rents with preference being given to local older people.

It is claimed the development footprint, including all buildings and car parking, will take up less than a third of the site, with a large part of the remainder being opened up to community use. There would also be a dedicated footpath surrounding the new complex and a cycle route that will pass through the site.

The project was the brainchild of Falmouth Rotary Club which has donated the site for the community-centred development. Rotarian Nigel Druce said: “When we first thought of selling the site to support our local charity work, we didn't think much beyond selling it off to developers.

“Then when the Bosvale Community Association approached us to ask for help to refurbish their dated building, we saw the bigger picture and realised that we could create something really fantastic for Falmouth and maybe even groundbreaking for the UK.

“We asked Abbeyfield to fund the project and are really excited to be able to bring it all together in this dynamic community partnership. Not only are we able to bring in significant investment at no cost to the public purse, we are creating a dynamic and vibrant community.”

Teresa Parker, director of Abbeyfield's west division, said: “This project really will be fantastic for the older people of Cornwall and meets a very definite need. At a time when local councils are cash-strapped, we believe it is part of our charity's mission to step in where we can to provide specialist housing.

“To my knowledge the sort of community partnership we are building in Falmouth really is unique and is something that could provide a model for other charities like ours up and down the UK.”

BCA member, Geoff Warren added: “For 40 years or so the Bosvale Community Association charity has been providing a leisure facility for local residents and groups at a price that everyone can afford. Our hall is now showing its age and, in particular, we are in urgent need of a new roof.

“The proposed Abbeyfield development will secure our continuing ability to serve the local community and is entirely in keeping with the stated aims and objects of the BCA. Furthermore, we regard the redevelopment proposal as both exciting and innovative and believe it will foster greater community spirit.”