Almost a year after its emotional closure, plans have been submitted to turn Helston Community Centre into 12 flats.

Helston town council has submitted an application to convert the building in Penrose Road, which they own.

Town clerk Chris Dawson told the Packet that the council still hoped to sell the building, but believed that if the site had planning permission with it they could sell it for a better price.

The proceeds of the sale will be reinvested into a new, up to date community centre with disabled access and Mr Dawson said that the more money that could be made from the sale, the more could be spent on the new facilities.

He said: "With planning permission we would get more for it than if we tried to put it up for sale today. We're trying to look after the pennies and get as much for it as we can."

It is an emotive subject for many people in Helston and the application is likely to cause some controversy.

When plans to close the centre were first mooted last January, members of 47 community groups that used the centre joined with its other supporters for a mass protest at Coronation Lake, which saw a turnout of over 400 people.

At the time the council explained it had no other option but to sell the building, after a legal technicality scuppered lengthy attempts to draw up a new lease.

In information submitted with the planning application, the council has written that in earlier discussions planning officers from Kerrier district council had indicated that a change to residential use would be "considered acceptable."

It is also stated that although work was carried out on the building in 1999, due to a lack of funds the centre had "steadily fallen into a poor state of repair" and substantial work was now needed.

Under the heading of "design" the council has written: "It is thought that the building is, in many ways, unsuited to its current use as a community centre and, although there are an abundance of rooms available for use, the centre does not have the technology, proper facilities or a large multi-purpose function room that a modern community centre should be able to offer. These issues, coupled with the building's poor state of repair has led to the proposed change of use."

New entrance would be created for the flats, with eight of the flats sharing one entrance door and stairwell and the remaining four flats having private entrances.

The ground floor apartments would have private outdoor areas, while the first floor apartments would share an outdoor courtyard.

The metal walkway that current links the first floor with the Wendron Street car park would be removed.

Vehicles would use the existing driveway with Penrose Road, but the council has written that traffic would be "infrequent" as there were only two on-site parking spaces and these would be designated for disabled motorists.

They added: "A lack of on-site parking can be viewed in a positive light - the town centre location and close proximity to local services and facilities reduces the need to travel and provides the opportunity for other modes of transport such as walking, cycling and the use of a regular, efficient public transport system."

Helston Community Centre was originally built as a school, over two phases between 1897 and 1905.

The first phase created a science and art school, as a gift to the people of Helston from the Victorian philanthropist Sir John Passmore Edwards, and the second produced a secondary school.

It was not until 1978 that the building stopped being used for a school and became a community centre for groups in the town.

Although the building is not listed, it is part of Helston town centre conservation area.

Members of the public can contact Kerrier council with their views on the proposed development until January 21, when the consultation period ends.