Developers eyeing up a plot of land at Swanpool in Falmouth with a view to building between 20 and 40 new homes on it, have been told by council officers that the principle of residential development on the site is acceptable.

Linden Homes sought pre-application advice from Cornwall Council over its proposals for the new homes which, even at this early stage, have attracted opposition from Falmouth Civic Society and Falmouth Bay Residents’ Association.

Angela Beale, on behalf of the civic society said: “This land should stay as green space and not designated for building. This area should not be suburbanised any further.”

David Yelland, secretary of FBRA, said: “We would contend that the land should not be considered for development and should remain as green field land. It is the only remaining such area on the southern side of Swanpool lake and as such is integral to the visual amenity.

“Building on the land would have a serious impact on the whole Swanpool scene and would diminish the attractiveness of the area and spoil the setting of the South West Coast path and the SSSI nature reserve.”

Cornwall Council’s planning case officer, Peter Bainbridge, however, has told Linden Homes: “The site is considered to be a sustainable location and therefore the principle of residential development is acceptable. However, while the site does not enjoy any specific landscape designation it is a very sensitive one given the proximity to designated sites and the value the area has to the local community. The design and landscape impact will therefore be critical issues.

“The proposal has the potential to have a direct adverse impact on adjacent houses/residents. Also given the location close to Swanpool and the AONB there is likely to |be interest from the local community. However with appropriate design there is no reason to conclude that this would be a fundamental issue.”

The council’s affordable housing officer has said he would expect 40 per cent of any development to be affordable housing with 70 per cent available for rent. A Section 106 agreement would be required to ensure that the affordable housing would be available for local people in perpetuity.

If a planning application was to be submitted Linden Homes have been advised that an environmental impact assessment would be required along with reports into contaminated land, the ecology of the site, hedgerow and tree survey, foul sewage and utilities and flood risk assessments, a geological survey/land stability report, transport assessment and travel plan, landscape and visual impact assessment and landscape and ecological mitigation plan.