Work on the conversion of a long-established Falmouth hotel into luxury apartments is expected to start this summer following the granting of planning permission by Carrick district council.
The £8 million scheme for Redruth-based Rowe Property Developments Ltd (RPD) will see 27 one, two and three-bedroom apartments take shape at the former Gyllyngdune Manor Hotel in Melvill Road.
The go-ahead ends more than six years of uncertainty over the hotel's future. It has been closed since 2001.
RPD submitted their planning application late last year after agreeing to buy the 34-bedroom hotel, subject to the granting of planning permission, The original manor house will now be converted into two large apartments but the Victorian extensions will be demolished to make way for the new build.
"We are delighted that this long-running saga has come to a conclusion at last and that we can now proceed with our plans for a prestigious, high quality new homes development on this site," said RPD managing director Mike Greenslade.
"Our scheme has addressed all the planning issues and we feel it has struck a balance between planning policy, design and viability. "
Mr Greenslade said the construction project would take 18 months and anticipated that the first properties would be released onto the market in the spring of 2008.
The go-ahead was also welcomed by Mrs Rosemary Riddette-Gregory, secretary and immediate past chair of Falmouth and District Hotels Association and proprietor of nearby Wellington House guest house.
"I am absolutely delighted that at last something is going to happen on this derelict site and an eyesore will be removed," she said.
"The association was very concerned about this site and its continued disuse, and we worked very closely with the developers. The Gyllyngdune is clearly no longer viable as an hotel and I am sure its replacement will be a very welcome development and a credit to the area."
At present values, prices at Gyllyngdune are expected to start at around £250,000, with the two principal apartments each going for well over half a million pounds.
The scheme also includes two affordable homes for local people and RPD will make a "substantial" contribution to the cost of further off-site affordable accommodation elsewhere in Falmouth.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article