Plans for a 125-bed student accommodation complex at Packsaddle in Penryn have been submitted to Cornwall Council.

The proposal, from Cherry Homes and APG Architecture, follows two pre-application meetings with Penryn Town Council last year, which saw the proposed number of beds reduced from 146.

Concerns were raised at the meetings around parking, the size of the three accommodation blocks and their impact on neighbouring properties, and access.

In a statement accompanying the application, APG Architects said it had striven to address concerns raised by the council and in letters regarding the plans.

It said there would be a green travel plan, and students will be asked to sign a lease including issues relating to

parking and nuisance such as noise, as well as incorporating sustainability into the buildings' design.

The company said: "The management structure was discussed and ways of controlling student parking proposed that would minimize student parking, i.e. written into the lease with penalties.

"Although this seemed to satisfy the council on this site it raised bigger concerns of parking with in Penryn and the need to control in particularly student parking and how this could be managed more robustly through the university."

It added that the site would be in control of a management company which would monitor parking.

The plans are for one two-storey and two three-storey blocks, with amenity space between and access pathways, and the architect has designed the block nearest to neighbouring homes to angle the windows away and prevent overlooking.

Two letters from neighbours highlight concerns with the plans, including parking and access, which would be via a relatively small, steep lane, as well as noise complaints.

Nine objections have been lodged on Cornwall Council's planning website so far.

Rachel Gerred-Hart wrote: "Absolutely 100 per cent object. I am not anti student or anti university but I am anti expansion at this time. The situation is clearly out of control.

"The council admit they have no idea how many properties are student lets. They are losing hundreds of thousands of pounds in council tax. This expanse is being covered by local tax paying residents. Parking is a shambles. Noise and behaviour out of control and local affordable housing is off the scale."

Carolyn Wilkins wrote: "A strict no parking policy on site will mean cars parked all around the surrounding area mainly on verges of single track roads or around the Packsaddle and Tremoughdale residential area. Similar policies may (or perhaps may not) have worked at other universities; however, the public transport in Cornwall to the main attractions of beaches and coastal and moorland scenery is poor and students will try their hardest to own a car so they can enjoy Cornwall."

And Simon Collier added: " I feel it is time to put an end to this expansion into our ancient town which is being swamped by the carbuncle of a university campus and student accommodation."

The proposal will be discussed by Penryn Town Council at its next meeting in the council chamber of Penryn Town Hall, at 7pm on Monday, June 6.
Members of the public wishing to speak should register with the town clerk by 5pm on the day of the meeting.