One of Falmouth’s most controversial planning application for a decade – the extension of the Greenbank Hotel - has been rejected by Falmouth town council.

A special planning meeting on Monday saw 60 members of the public crowd into the council chamber not only to voice their views but to hear councillors recommend the muti-million pound scheme be thrown out.

The £14million scheme was for additional suites and rooms built on stilts out onto the foreshore, larger conference and restaurant facilities and more than double the current car parking space.

Hotel director Aaron Pascoe had argued that the expansion was essential forboth the Greenbank and Falmouth due to the changing nature of tourism in the county.

A group set up to fight the application called Save Our Foreshores disagreed saying the style, size and nature of the development was wrong and that they feared damage the environment and an increase in traffic.

The final decision rests with Carrick but the scheme is not expected to find much support. Residents and councillors in Flushing have already opposed it as have many other individuals and organisations, leaving the hotel owners to possibly think again or go to appeal.