Confusion surrounds proposals to build a Premier Inn hotel in Falmouth town centre – after an application for a drinks licence for the site was submitted despite the original planning application having recently been withdrawn.

Last week the Packet reported on how the plans for a 70-bedroom hotel to be built on the site of the private Campbeltown car park near Events Square had been pulled by Premier Inn.

The news of the withdrawal had been welcomed by local hotels and guest houses, who had objected to the proposals.

Fears had been raised over the effect a Premier Inn would have on neighbouring competitors, as well as the impact it would have on traffic in the area.

Now signs have been erected at the site detailing an application for a drinks licence by Whitbread Plc – the company behind the Premier Inn chain.

The licence would allow alcohol to be sold on site between 10am and 12.30am throughout the week, and on a 24-hour-a-day basis for hotel guests.

Rosemary Hobbs, secretary of the Falmouth and District Hotels Association, said news of the application had come as no surprise to members of the group.

She said: “I think most people were expecting this to happen, to be honest.

“We will be fighting against this, though, and we will be doing the same again – using social networking sites, email and getting every hotel and guest house that has concerns to object to these plans. We will be hoping we can make sure this hotel does not get built.”

More than 240 people lodged objections to the original plans before they were withdrawn.

Pearn and Proctor, the agents acting on behalf of the Premier Inn, declined to comment.