Harrogate House, Falmouth proposal to demolish building

Developer Harrogate Estates has applied to demolish Harrogate House in Queen Mary Road and build in its place an 'Italianate' style four-storey, 15 unit apartment block with a penthouse, complete with its own tower as well as a separate 'Wellness Centre'

At a meeting of Falmouth Town Council's planning committee on Monday night councillors unanimously agreed the application was completely out of place.

Cllr John Spargo said considering the research the designer appeared to have done, what they had come up with was 'incredible' and not in a good way.

"The architects for this are from Manchester," he said "and I think it should be built in Manchester. Nothing to do with Falmouth.

"The claims that they've done the research and looked at the architecture, walked along and had a drone survey just goes to show how bad they must be.

"If they've looked at all that information and come up with this design. It is just incredible. It looks like a municipal building that's totally out of place and totally wrong"

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Earlier councillors heard from local businessman Paul Hills who told them that the house should not be allowed to be demolished.

How the proposed apartments would look. Image Maison IOM Architects Ltd

"It is one of only a few building in the entirety of Falmouth seafront that hasn't been knocked down and replaced with apartment blocks," he said.

"So if we get rid of this one we lose some of Falmouth's history forever.

"It was the very first house on the whole of this site and if you look at photographs of Falmouth all you can see is this house and the hotel next door to it."

He said the new design was absolutely massive and dominated the plot. However he said there was no actual proof it was an Arthur Cornelius designed house but it is one of the original houses from the 1930s.

The case officer for the application said in written comments that the house was the last of the original villas on this road and its loss would would result in harm to the appearance of this area.

Falmouth mayor Steve Eva said the value of the house in that area is so much that it should not be replaced.

"It brings a lot to that area and makes it look a lot better, I'll certainly not be supporting it," he said.

Cllr Debra Clegg said the proposed building was completely out of character and the house itself should be rejuvenated.

Councillors voted unanimously to recommend refusal of the application citing its effect on the conservation area, layout and density of the building, design, appearance and materials, loss of public view and not in accordance with the Neighbourhood Development Plan.

The application will now go to Cornwall Council.