Hooked on the Rocks restaurant plans to go to committee

Hooked on the Rocks, on Swanpool Road, has applied to Cornwall Council for planning permission for the new development. The application is due to be considered by the central sub-area planning committee when it meets on Monday (Aug2).

Under the proposals the restaurant would be located on the ground floor of the building with toilets, cellar and storage on the lower ground floor.

Above the restaurant would be a three-bedroom apartment with an en suite bathroom, family bathroom, living and kitchen area and an outdoor terrace area.

The application explains that the new restaurant would provide more space inside as well as creating more dining space outside.

A report to the planning committee explains: “The proprietors of the existing business explain that Covid-19 mitigation measures, such as social distancing, have led to an increase in demand from customers for outdoor seating.

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“It has been necessary to increase the amount of space between tables both indoors and outdoors; whilst this has created a safer environment amid the Covid19 pandemic it has resulted in less tables being available for use by customers, with a knock-on effect on the financial turnover of the restaurant business.

“A reduction in revenue has amplified the need to redevelop the site and make the restaurant business fit for the future, combining a more effective use of space within a building with lower operating costs.

“The proprietors intend to use a reduction in costs and a revival of business turnover to enable them to retain more staff and to have a less seasonal pattern of business, with an aspiration to meet customer demand throughout the year.”

The apartment above the restaurant is intended to be let for long-term or holiday use. The report explains: “The applicant states that the residential apartment at first floor level would diversify the income stream from the existing restaurant site, be it a rental income from a long term letting or an income from holiday occupancy.

“A seasonal variation in the restaurant’s income could be mitigated by a steady income stream from the apartment, thus helping the applicant to recover the capital cost of the redevelopment project whilst meeting some of the costs associated with running the lower portion of the proposed building as a restaurant.”

Cornwall Council planning officers have recommended that councillors grant planning permission.

However Falmouth Town Council has objected saying that they do not think the design of the new building fits in with the street scene. They also say that the accommodation should be “tied” to the restaurant.

The town council said it would like to see the site developed but that the “style and massing is unacceptable in this sensitive site”.

Falmouth and Penryn Conservation Committee has also objected saying that the design was more suited to a “city centre or canal side location”.

There have been 21 public comments made on the council’s website with 14 objections and seven in favour.

Most of the concerns relate to the “boxy” design of the building and the impact it could have on the conservation area and nearby Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The central sub-area planning committee is due to meet on Monday (Aug2) to consider the application.