After a ten-year saga of knockbacks and refusal, one Penryn housebuilder is now coming forward with a new plan to build homes on an industrial estate.

Antony Clarke, from Milron & Co, has submitted an application for four three-storey town houses at West End. His company was granted outline planning permission by the government last year, but in the previous nine years had three schemes refused by Cornwall Council.

At appeal the government planning inspector agreed with the company’s argument that the site would be too expensive to redevelop for industrial use and that a sufficient number of industrial units are already available in the area.

Cornwall Council wanted the site to be kept for industrial use.

When Penryn Town Council debated the latest application, chairman Mark Snowdon said: “We are not in a position to decide whether he can or can’t build these houses; it’s basically the proposal of the design.” And as a “big part” of planning now was the financial viability of a project, Mr Snowdon said “and this is far more valuable than two industrial units.”

Five neighbouring residents lodged concerns with the council.

Simon Holden said: “I feel that cramming four units within such a small space is an over-development. There will be little outside space for the potential residents to enjoy, the proposed courtyards will back onto a sheer wall and will most likely be in shade the whole time.

I have lived in Penryn for 36 years and am slowly seeing every postage stamp of land having something built on it.”

The council had no objections but raised concerns about drainage, the presence of Japanese knotweed on the site and the safety of pedestrians accessing the homes. Cornwall Council will make the final decision.