A scheme to demolish Gweek Garage and build four homes in its place has been refused by Cornwall Council.

Peter Williams had made the application for the filling station and vehicle repair workshop on Chapel Hill.

He wanted to knock down the workshop block and forecourt, decontaminate the site and build two pairs of semi-detached houses.

Two would be three to four-bedroom houses, with the remaining pair being two-bedroom, low cost ‘family starter homes’.

In a statement from agents AAP Development Services it stated: “In recent years the business has seen a significant decline in its petrol and diesel sales due to competition from the new forecourts approved with new development in Helston. There has also been a significant loss of repair trade due to the proliferation of purpose built workshops on industrial estates in Helston.

“Hence the business is considered not to be viable as a going concern and the applicant is considering retirement.”

Gweek Parish Council had raised no objections, although it did note that neighbours were concerned about sewerage dispersal, as there was no mains sewerage in the area.

Cornwall Council refused the application under delegated powers, saying the scheme failed to show that the non-mains sewerage disposal was either “deliverable or suitable.”

The decision notice added: “The proposal would, due to the scale and form of buildings proposed, result in a development which would appear cramped within the constraints of the site and have the appearance of being overdeveloped.”

In addition, the design created a “jarring and uncomplimentary appearance”, while the homes would overlook neighbours and result in a loss of privacy.