IN a surprise move Falmouth Town Council’s planning committee has voted to recommend refusal for 123 homes to be built on the outskirts of the town.

The application is for the approval of details relating to layout, scale, appearance and landscaping in respect of the development of the homes on land at Lower Kergilliack Farm, Falmouth.

Thirty five per cent of the homes are currently earmarked to be affordable The original permission was granted in May 2014 subject to a number of conditions. A Section 106 legal agreement is also in place.

At its meeting on Monday, councillors said as the site was now under their jurisdiction since its agreement with Budock Parish Council, Persimmon Homes should increase the percentage of affordable homes from 35% to 40% in line with town council policy.

It had been expected that the ‘reserved matter’ application would be rubber stamped by the committee. The Neighbourhood plan consultation said: “It’s far too late to do anything.”

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Cllr Alan Jewell opened the debate saying: “The houses are rubbish but what do you do? We are where we are. It’s a bland and awful estate. We have to approve this, can’t see how we can turn it down.”

But despite it not being in its neighbourhood plan, the committee said because it was now the council’s responsibility, Persimmon should fall in line with 40% of affordable homes it required for new developments.

“What’s the point of insisting on this figure if we are not going to enforce it?” said Cllr Jayne Kirkham.

Councillors unanimously voted for refusal on these grounds.