Fresh plans to extend part of the University College Falmouth’s Woodlane Campus have left objectors dumbfounded.

In June, Falmouth Town Council’s planning committee knocked back a proposed first floor extension and new foyer for the Faculty of Graphics on Woodlane, describing it as “not neighbourly.”

The university subsequently withdrew its application, but has now brought another one to the table for a building that has been described as “taller and longer than the one applied for in June.”

Caroline Dinham, speaking on behalf of a group of protesting residents from Fox’s Lane near to the campus said: “Whilst this planning application is of great concern to a number of residents who live in the streets surrounding the Woodlane Campus, it is also of concern to the whole town.

“This application is the start of the redevelopment of the ‘Art College’ and serious consideration must be given to whether it is appropriate for the college to continue to stretch the boundaries of its small campus.”

Fellow objector Tom Tregenza claimed the university were “cynically” resubmitting the proposals “in the hope of taking advantage of fatigue amongst local residents seeking to preserve the character of the area” while for John Cottrell “the creeping tentacles of this voracious enterprise” will cause “ruin to this lovely area of Falmouth.”

A spokeswoman for the university said a “significant number of changes” had been made to the new planning application after taking into account the concerns of both the planning officer and other close neighbours. These include a reduction in the overall height of the building and size of the windows, as well as additional tree planting and an atrium to reduce noise.

The spokeswoman said that while the university “is sensitive to the historic importance of Woodlane” the proposed new building does not “fall within the Woodlane Conservation area” but has “been designed to blend in with and enhance its environs”.

She added that the new building is all about “providing world-class facilities” and maintain the university’s “reputation as one of the leading creative universities in the world, all of which is positive for the cultural, social and economic well-being of Falmouth as a town.

“With so much investment at the Tremough Campus during the past decade, this represents a real chance for Falmouth to invest in its facilities at Woodlane in the heart of its university town,” she said.

Twenty five years ago, the Falmouth School of Arts - precursor to the University College Falmouth – had planned a similar two-storey extension for the site that was also rejected.

The new application was discussed by Falmouth Town Council’s planning committee on Tuesday. For a full report, see Wednesday's Packet.