The chairman of the town’s planning committee, Grenville Chappel, is hopeful an appeal into the refusal of plans to redevelop Falmouth Wharves will be unsuccessful after attending a hearing chaired by the inspector.

“How it will go, nobody knows,” he said, “but it did sound positive. It seemed to go well, but appeals are appeals and we have to wait and see.”

The proposed development would include 44 flats, a 14 bed hotel, 20 light industrial units, gallery space and a restaurant/cafe. It is being opposed by many of the current occupants of the site and local residents.