Falmouth Town Council's planning committee has refused to support plans for 14 apartments at Melvill Road due to potential damage to trees and the impact on the conservation area.

The application is a revised version of an earlier pre-application submitted by Marble Homes for 21 apartments on the currently unoccupied site, which sits between Melvill Road and the railway tracks, and permission has already been granted for 12 homes on an adjacent plot.

The main concern for the committee was the impact of any development on the many trees at the site, several of which were understood to have protection orders, and committee chairman Grenville Chappel said: "It would be difficult to build it without injuring the trees. He (the applicant) did tell us he could, but he didn't convince me."

Councillor Steve Gray added: "If the canopy spreads over something they are damaging the roots. It's virtually up to the tree trunk."

He also said members of public had expressed a worry over the devastating impact of the development on wildlife.

He said: "It's been left by the railway to become overgrown, and become a lovely habitat."

The committee decided to propose the application be rejected due to the impact on protected trees and significant negative impact on the conservation area.

The design and access statement for the application reads: "The pleasant, wooded character of this section of Melvill Road comes largely from the on-site trees next to the road, and it is clearly important to retain these in order to maintain the

character."

The proposal is for 14 two-bedroomed homes across four storeys, with balconies looking towards the harbour, 20 car parking spaces and a communal garden.

Cornwall Council has said there will be a requirement of 35 per cent affordable housing, which is equivalent to five of the 14 apartments, with three affordable rented and two shared ownership.