Beerwolf Books, Falmouth appeal to help fight flats plan

F.P. Kitchener Ltd, based in Port Pendennis, want to build the two units containing a total of eight flats on Bells Hill and in Bells Court, home of the popular pub and bookshop.

The two new buildings are designated A and B. Building A is located on Bells Hill/Smithwick Hill and will contain three one-bedroom flats and one two-bedroom flat. Building B located in Bells Court will contain four one-bedroom flats.

A previous planning application for ten flats and a shop on the same site was withdrawn in June 2019 following opposition from the pub and bookshop.

The architects, CAD Architects based in Falmouth, say this new application is completely redesigned and revised for a smaller scale of development with a reduction in height, floor area and the removal of half a storey height from Building A, and an entire storey height from Building B.

How the court looks now and how it could look afterwards. CAD Architects

Posting on its Facebook page, Beerwolf Books appealed for people to oppose the application saying it would constitute an "over-development of a historic setting and conservation area".

"It’s happened again folks," they said. "The developers have submitted plans to build on the garden area in front of Beerwolf Books and directly behind.

"The proposal this time is for eight flats, within a two storey building in front of the pub and a five storey building behind, with a garage for one car."

They added: "Bell's Court is a valuable part of historic Falmouth, dating back to the 17th century and used as the customs house, packet station, the house of Captain Bell and family, the post office and the working mens' club.

How the site would look from Smithwick Hill before and after

"If you look through the Heritage Impact Assessment you will see that the Cornwall Archaeological Unit have said that 'the proposed development of the two-storey building within the area... is likely to have a negative visual impact on the frontage of 3 Bell's Court. This is an important Grade II Listed Building, and the finest part of the Bell's Court range... it is now an important component of Falmouth's historic townscape'.

"If you have any other thoughts, especially on the specific style, visual impact and design of both developments (note the vast proposed block behind Beerwolf) then please take the time to file an objection on the planning portal. Supportive facebook comments, though lovely, are not taken into consideration by the planning department.

"If you have any ideas of how the space might better be used, add that to your objection.

"Please voice your opinions on the planning portal, as soon as possible, we don’t have long."

The planning application reference is PA21/11372 and can be found here.