The Rosslyn Hotel site has been bought by a London-based developer.

The site of the former hotel already has planning permission for a 117-bed student housing complex.

Councillor David Saunby shared his frustrations with the Save Our Falmouth Facebook group.

He said: "It is with a heavy heart that I have to inform you that Apartments for London have purchased the Rosslyn Hotel site, and will be going ahead with the original plans to build the 117-bed Student Accommodation block, which already has planning permission, with certain conditions as previously agreed.

"I fully understand that the vast majority of residents living in the immediate area will be as shocked and upset as I am."

The the former hotel, which lies at the junction of Kimberley Park Road and Tregenver Road, has been disused since 2015.

A planning application to redevelop the site into student accommodation was refused by Cornwall Council in March 2017, the council saying that the plan went against their own strategy to develop accommodation around the university campus.

The plans went to appeal and were eventually approved in December 2017.

The appeal was decided for several reasons, one of which being that the building is dilapidated and already had plans in place for demolition and development of retirement apartments.

It was also stated in the appeal decision that Cornwall Council's local plan called for more purpose-built student accommodation to reduce tensions between the needs of students and those of local residents.

Apartments for London and Falmouth University have been contacted for comment.