The new, scaled down plans for student accommodation on the Ocean Bowl site in Falmouth have failed to appease neighbouring residents, councillors or docks' management, who are all calling on Cornwall Council to reject them.

The scheme for 190 student beds, which developers claim is "significantly reduced" from the plans refused last November, went before Falmouth Town Council's planning committee at a packed chamber on Monday evening.

Councillors heard from Pam Cowan, of Save Our Falmouth, said the reduction in size did not reduce the "physical and psychological impact" on neighbouring residents. "If approved this application will destroy the living conditions of long standing Falmouth residents.

"It will be a massive imposition of further students in a residential area already blighted by a student block allowed on appeal. The university has already publicly stated no further student accommodation is required by them apart from that proposed in Penryn, so this application is superfluous and should be refused."

Gerald Pitts, managing director of A&P Falmouth, also attended to speak against the plans claiming the development would affect the port's operational future. He said he had serious concerns that the scheme would give rise to complaints from the students brought on by the round-the-clock operations at the docks and could impact on the future of the freight rail link into the yard.

Councillor Candy Atherton said: "This is just a cynical attempt by the developers to get this through. The town has made it very clear what it thinks about this. Cornwall Council is now clear where it wants student accommodation to go and it's not on the Ocean Bowl site."

The emerging Falmouth Neighbourhood Plan and Cornwall Council's site allocations document both rule out student accommodation on the site in Pendennis Rise.

Councillor Steve Eva said: "This is just not the place for any accommodation, let alone student accommodation. if this was to be supported by Cornwall Council then we should pack up and go home because they would be completely disregarding what is right for Falmouth."

Councillors voted unanimously to recommend Cornwall Council reject the scheme on the grounds it is contrary to the neighbourhood plan and site allocations document, would encroach on Falmouth Docks and its operations.