Still no support for new Falmouth hotel access bid
3:20pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News
A renewed attempt to win permission to create an access road into the grounds of the Penmere Manor Hotel in Falmouth has angered local residents and failed to win the support of councillors.
Bemgo Ltd has again applied for the removal of a condition attached to its consent to build seven properties without the grounds of the hotel. The condition prohibits an access road being created into the site from Queen Anne Gardens.
A similar application was refused by Cornwall Council in January because of the damage the road would cause to trees. The new application would see an elevated access route with pile driven foundations. Two sycamores and a holly tree would have to be felled.
The application went before Falmouth’s planning committee last week when half a dozen residents, mostly from Queen Anne Gardens, attended. Representing them, Hugh Bishop, said: “This application is rather alarming, coming so quick as it does and being virtually the same application as was refused a month ago.
“Three protected trees will have to be felled for this road to be built. They are talking about hand digging the ground to protect the roots (of other trees) and will then pile drive dozens of piles eighteen inches across, into the ground.”
Cornwall Councillor, Steve Eva attended the meeting to talk against the application. “I have been over to see the tree officer and he is not very happy at all,” he said. “The piles will disturb the roots.
“The access, as far as I’m concerned, is in totally the wrong place. There are two accesses already, both from Mongleath Avenue, and there is absolutely no reason why they can’t put the traffic through there from that side. Why do they need to disturb Queen Anne Gardens?”
Councillor Diana Merrett, chairman of the town’s planning committee, said: “We agreed they could have the houses but could not touch this site.
“We have been fighting this ever since this plan came forward. I recommend refusal again.”
The committee unanimously agreed with councillor Merrett, but the final decision will be made by Cornwall Council.
