Plans to build 315 new homes on the outskirts of Falmouth

However, the neighbouring town council for Penryn – which also abuts the development site – welcomes the new houses, writes Local Democracy Reporter Lee Trewhela.

Church Commissioners for England, the landowner, is seeking outline planning permission for up to 315 properties, 280sqm of mixed use development, a new vehicular bridge over the Falmouth to Truro railway line, public open space and associated landscaping and engineering works on land west of the former Vospers garage site at Ponsharden, between Falmouth and Penryn.

The fate of the application, which was lodged with Cornwall Council in 2017, is due to be decided at a strategic planning meeting at County Hall / Lys Kernow, Truro, on Thursday, August 15. The matter had been brought to the committee by local councillor David Saunby over concerns raised by Falmouth Town Council.

JTP (Image: JTP)

Cornwall Council planning officer Peter Bainbridge is recommending that delegated authority should be given to the chief planning officer to approve the proposed residential development, known as Falmouth North.

The site is made up of four fields, measuring 13.4 hectares, which is described as being the “best and most versatile” Grade 2 agricultural land. Detailed approval is sought for the vehicular access which would be taken from the existing roundabout at the junction of the A39 and Union Road.

The A39 forms the north boundary and to the south of the site are Falmouth School, Falmouth Cricket Club, Trescobeas open space and the former Vospers garage. The Falmouth to Truro railway line crosses the site from north to south and there is an existing bridge that crosses the railway.

Where the proposed Falmouth North development sits in relation to Penryn and Falmouth (Image: JTP)

In his planning report, Mr Bainbridge points out that the proposed development forms one of the sites that Cornwall Council has identified to meet the housing needs of Falmouth and Penryn to 2030.

The HomeChoice registered local housing need in both parishes currently stands at 892 households seeking affordable accommodation. The development would provide 35 per cent affordable housing.

He said: “There would be a number of benefits arising from the proposal including provision of affordable housing in line with policy, off-site highway improvements, ecological enhancements and significant open space provision. The loss of ‘best and most versatile’ agricultural land is a negative impact and so there is some conflict with the Cornwall Local Plan. However, there were no other sites available to meet the need for housing in Falmouth and Penryn of a lower grade, so this conflict is not considered significant.”

Falmouth Town Council has recommended refusal due to the “major impact” on the town as it does not have the infrastructure in place to take another 315 houses as health centres, dentists and schools are “already at capacity so the development is not viable for Falmouth’s services. The loss of good quality farmland is also unacceptable”.

Penryn Town Council has no objections, but Budock Parish Council objects to the access proposals. It has concerns over the proposed single access on to Hillhead roundabout for all of the 315 dwellings and the increase in the volume of traffic this would generate.

A design statement on behalf of the applicant states: “The land at Falmouth North will offer a unique opportunity to allow sensitive and integrated growth of the town. Creation of the proposed new neighbourhood will connect new and existing community and recreation facilities, providing easy access to these along the southern boundary and enabling new residents to become part of a wider, established neighbourhood.

“The proposal will provide new homes in a green environment, with safe and attractive pedestrian and cycling routes through the site and to local facilities.”

The strategic planning committee will discuss the application next Thursday at 10am.