Campaigners fighting plans to build a hotel, flats and light industrial units on Falmouth Wharves are making a final stand after developers lodged an appeal against the refusal of their plans.

It was in April last year that members of Cornwall Council’s strategic planning committee voted 12-2 to reject Fairhaven Shipping Ltd’s scheme.

In 2008 a previous planning inspector, Jill Kingaby, ruled against the proposal, saying she found “scant evidence that the proposed development requires this waterside location.”

The campaign group, Friends of Falmouth Wharf, join the council in wanting to see the wharf, off North Parade, preserved as a local business and arts hub.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Did you know that the wharf is |currently home to MoD boats that train the search and rescue teams at Culdrose? Or that over 500 moorings in Carrick Roads are serviced by dive teams based at the wharf?

“Scott Woyka, nationally renowned furniture maker, has his studio at the wharf, Falmouth Firework Company operate from the wharf – bringing the bang to Falmouth Week and a host of other local festivals. Marine businesses at Falmouth Wharf currently employ around 100 people directly.

“Alongside these work independent artists, furniture designers, welders and metal fabricators, jewellery workshops, university lecturers, musicians, a recording studio, carpenters, graphic designers, printmakers and small businesses that rely on Falmouth’s links to the yachting and fishing industries. All are at risk if the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol overturn Cornwall Council’s ruling.”

Fairhaven Shipping, however, claims: “The improvements made to the standard of commercial accommodation as a result of the development will ensure the continued viability and attractiveness of the marine wharf site.

“The benefit of improved quality outweighs the reduction in quantity of floorspace for marine users and evidence from a local commercial agent which assesses demand for such space will be presented to support this assertion.”

The deadline to make comments on the proposal is January 17 and they should be sent to the Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/19a Hawk Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN or online via www.planningportal.gov.uk/planning/planninginspectorate - quoting reference APP/D0840/A/13/2207797.