A five storey block of student accommodation housing 99 bedrooms is now being proposed for the site first earmarked for a Premier Inn in Falmouth.

New Cornwall Developments are behind the scheme, which will be discussed by Falmouth Town Council's planning committee on Monday night. The company was previously refused planning permission to build a hotel on the site at Discovery Quay car park near Events Square, a decision which was subsequently upheld at appeal.

The new proposed building would be crescent-shaped and positioned towards the south-western site boundary, creating further distance between the complex and neighbouring Fisher Court than the previous hotel scheme. The ground floor accommodation would be party-recessed beneath the upper floors to provide an area of undercroft parking adjacent to Fisher Court.

The ground floor would house 11 bedrooms, along with communal kitchen/dining facilities, an entrance lobby, administration office, laundry room, cleaner's store, and cycle and bin storage. The first and second floors would have 24 bedrooms and the third and fourth, 20 bedrooms with communal areas.

The design and access statement accompanying the application claims: "The proposal would be finished in a contemporary architectural style that seeks to create a gateway for the town where currently the site is open and results in a lack of legibility and sense of arrival. The form of the building also creates a sense of

destination for the high street encouraging more activity to flow towards Discovery Square and the amenities there providing a transition between the public realm and more residential areas.

"Generally, the proposed development will address a specific need for student accommodation and more

specifically it will cater for the expansion of the University Campus, which is located in Falmouth town centre. Furthermore, the provision of student accommodation will help the loss of three plus bedroom properties to the buy-to-let market in recent years and make entry level family housing more accessible to

young families.

"The proposals are not considered to have a detrimental impact upon the character or appearance of the area or detract from the significance of the heritage assets in the surrounding area. They have been carefully designed to preserve the setting of Falmouth Conservation area, Arwenack House and Killigrew Monument. Moreover, the proposed building has been designed to frame Killigrew Monument and elevate its significance. In this respect the proposals deliver a clear heritage enhancement."

The application has already prompted four objections including from Robert Sturland who says: "Once again the developer has submitted a proposal which would be a significant overdevelopment for this relatively small site. The planned structure would be oppressive to the entire area despite the staged levels adjacent to Fisher Court.

"The impact of so many student flats with all their associated and well documented issues in such a confined space could lead to a nightmare situation for nearby residents."

The loss of car parking spaces has also been cited as a reason the proposals should be rejected. Falmouth councillors will debate the application at their meeting which starts at 6pm on Monday. The application will then be determined by Cornwall Council. For full details search for application PA15/06567 at www.cornwall.gov.uk.