Church Street, Falmouth homes plans for 'unkempt' site

The application is the proposed construction of two "traditional dwellings" on land between the back of 16 – 17 Church Street, Falmouth and Well Lane car park.

An earlier application to build a two and a half storey L-shaped building to accommodate four residential apartments was abruptly withdrawn earlier this month following a slew of objections.

The new proposal seeks to demolish the existing block structure on the site and build a two storey rectangle shaped building that is oriented to the west (rear) of the site, to accommodate two semi-detached houses.

What the proposed building would look like on the the site off Church Street. Picture Cornwall Planning Group/Cornwall Council

When viewed from the east and the west, the proposed building will appear as a two-storey, gable end with a single window on the west side, and a single window and door on the east side. A pitched roof form is proposed on the south-east elevation with sensitive Velux rooflights to maximise light to internal spaces.

Natural granite is proposed on each elevation to provide traditional materials and interest to the building. Stone lintels, white timber doors and windows are proposed, under a natural slate pitched roof.

Internally, the proposal comprises two semi-detached dwelling houses, each having a floor area of approximately 45sqm, comprising an open plan dining/kitchen and living spaces on the ground floor, two bedrooms and family bathroom on the first floor, and a third bedroom in the loft space.

The site off Church Street. Picture Cornwall Planning Group/Cornwall Council

The existing stone wall along the southern boundary will be retained with a pedestrian access to the front of the building, and to the east of the building that serves No 17 Church Lane, will be clearly visible.

The developers says the new proposal is of high-quality design that utilises a natural palette of materials including timber, slate and granite.

"The site is located in a sustainable location behind the main shopping street and within the

historic core of Falmouth town centre," it says in its application on behalf of a Mr and Mrs A Fletcher from Ludgvan. "It is enclosed on all sides by built development and in is relatively unkempt and unused at the present time.

The site off Church Street. Picture Cornwall Planning Group/Cornwall Council

"Opportunity presents to make the most efficient use of this previously developed land, with a high-quality building that will provide two residential units and associated landscaping.

"The constrained nature of the site is acknowledged, and the proposal has been designed with consideration of the scale and siting of surrounding properties, their windows and garden areas. The height and scale of the proposal has been kept to a minimum and would be in keeping with the scale and height of surrounding buildings.

"The historic wall adjacent to Well Lane will be retained and the proposal incorporates traditional building forms and detailing to ensure that the design is contemporary in its approach, whilst being sympathetic to its setting, within the Falmouth Conservation Area with several designated heritage assets in proximity to the site."

There will be no parking provision for cars on the site.