Yet again another application has gone in to develop a waterfront site described as being at the “gateway to Falmouth”.

At a meeting of Falmouth Town Council’s planning committee last night, councillors considered an application to demolish the existing bungalow at Anchorage, 28 North Parade, Falmouth and build three homes there instead.

A previous application to build four dwellings on the site was turned down by Cornwall Council on the grounds that it was an overdevelopment of the site, a decision that was upheld by an inspector on appeal.

At last night’s meeting of the committee, councillors heard from neighbours objecting to the plan.

Helen Morris told the meeting that the application site was at the “gateway to Falmouth” a popular place at which to admire the stunning views.

She said the existing family home sat back from the road and sat in perfect harmony in its setting.

She said the 1930s pre-war bungalow had Structures at different levels and respected the contours of the land. She said hidden by trees it was a ‘soft transition’ to Falmouth town centre.

She said other building nearby step up from the water making them less imposing.

“These are modern glass fronted buildings which would sit two storeys high on the roadside and three storeys high right on the water’s edge protruding much further forward towards the water than the existing building,” she said.

“Combined with the increased bulk, depth and height of the buildings and trees being replaced with parking spaces along the road, this would result in a harsh approach from the south west to the town centre.”

Another neighbour Alex Blane said that previously concerns raised by the council had still not been addressed he also raised fears the buildings were likely to become holiday lets.

“The problems are so fundamental with this proposal including congestion being amplified and lay-by parking spaces not being safe for people stepping out of their vehicle onto a busy and dangerous road,” he said.

“It is insensitive to its surroundings and harmful appearance to the character of this beautiful area whilst providing no benefits to the community.”

The case officer’s comments were read out at the meeting in which he said he was minded to support in principle as the developer had removed the fourth unit which had been the sticking point for the appeal inspector.

Cllr Debra Clegg said removing the fourth dwelling actually made it even worse because the next one along was taller so there was more building to look at coming along the road.

John Spargo said the developer had missed a golden opportunity to make parking easier. “They could have changed that now they had the extra ground space,” he said.

“Disappointed that they haven’t done it. The massing on the waterfront is significantly more so than the other properties.”

“Each time we see this application it is reduced and reduced and each reduction raises another issue and now the massing on the waterfront three storeys high is the biggest issue.”

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Committee chairman Cllr Steve Eva said it was a typical case of the developer trying to fit a pint into a quart pot.

“You’ve got a bit of land there we’ll build as much as we possibly can because we’ve got the money to do it and I won’t worry about anyone else that lives in that area,” he said. “I think looking at it from the sea it will look terrible. I still think it’s an overdevelopment.”

Councillors recommended refusal of the application on the grounds of visual impact, not in keeping with the street scene, impact from the water, parking, massing and overdevelopment. The vote was unanimous.

A final decision will be made by Cornwall Council.