The battle lines have been drawn as the Abbeyfield Society and Cornwall Council prepare to fight to win the backing of a government inspector over plans to develop open space at Bosvale in Falmouth.

Councillors on the council's central sub-area planning committee went against the advice of planning officers and refused Abbeyfield's application to build a 69-bed extra care facility, a communal area and new community centre last December.

The single reason for refusal was that the harm caused by the proposed development would outweigh the benefits owing to its unacceptable impact on the character, appearance and amenities of

the area and would result in the loss of an area of open space that has been used and enjoyed by the local community for many years.

Abbeyfield has now appealed against that decision and set out its case for the inspector to over-ride the council's decision and grant permission. Accompanying its formal case for approval, Abbeyfield has included an additional statement which says: "Falmouth is a very special place, with a big heart and a great community. It has always embraced the ideas of positive change and helping others.

"The Bosvale Community centre and recreation area has been an important part of its community. However, in recent years the community centre has been increasingly difficult to maintain and has

become very run down and the play area underused with very little play equipment, long grass and increasing amounts of rubbish dumped around the river. Although, used by dog walkers, the area is often unused.

"We are all passionate about green spaces and these should only be considered if there is an essential need and the opportunity for regeneration of underused green space. In the case of Bosvale, the regeneration of the river area and the added value of renewed green space, dog walking area, play facilities, new community centre and cafe, could off-set any loss to the community of some of the recreational land, underused at present."

In its defence of the refusal of consent, Cornwall Council states: "The open spaces are around the Boslowick area form an important linkage with each other and with Swanvale and Swanpool. There is a sense of openness engendered by the open space, the steep valley sides and the well

wooded nature of the valley floor.

"Overall the area is more rural in character than the main body of Falmouth to the east and on the opposite side of the valley. The council feels that the resulting loss of this area of open space would erode that character.

"It is acknowledged that the accommodation provided would add to the overall supply of housing and meet a specific need. There would also be some economic benefits to the proposal both in terms of the building phase and the support and care offered. There would also be a benefit in the replacement of a community building. However, the council consider that the loss of the open

space would outweigh these advantages."

To see the full details of the cases put forward by the council and Abbeyfield, search for planning application PA15/02640 at cornwall.gov.uk. The appeal is to be determined by written representations and local residents, many of whom are objecting to the plans, had until Tuesday to submit their comments.