A new hotel could be coming to Porthleven, along with a restaurant, bar and artist workshops.

There has been speculation for many years about such a development, but this is the first time that formal plans have been submitted.

The Porthleven Arts Hotel from Trevor Osborne would be build at Breageside, on Mount Pleasant Road.

It proposes the refurbishment and conversion of the old fish warehouse, the restoration and adaption of the lime kiln and new link buildings to provide a 14-bedroom hotel, 100-cover restaurant and cafe/bar, exhibition galleries, a workshop and private function room for up to 50 people.

The restaurant, guest lounge and function room would all be open to the public as well as guests.

There is no inclusion of any on-site parking, although designs submitted to Cornwall Council in a pre-application document state: "Plans are being considered for a parking facility just outside the town, co-located with new industrial units.

"A valet service between the car park and Arts Hotel is proposed."

It states that the plans for this parking facility would form a separate planning application, although the council's highest development manager has recommended that it forms part of this application, along with details of how the valet parking would be managed,"otherwise it will not be able to be secured by condition."

Architects acting on behalf of the Porthleven Harbour & Dock Company have said the development would "reverse unsympathetic alterations to the Old Fish Warehouse that are harmful to its architectural and historic significance."

The existing central warehouse would become the main entrance, with the reception and cafe/bar.

The first and second floor would house three bedrooms on each floor.

A new building would then provide additional accommodation and a workshop space, with a publicly accessible exhibition gallery to display up to 60 works for a month, that would be sold on a commission-free basis.

Mr Osborne has now told the Packet that such a development would bring "significant public benefit" and improve that side of the harbour.

He said: "The forthcoming proposals will be a positive addition and improvement to this part of the harbour side, bringing significant public benefit as well as an added facility which will benefit both local people and visitors."

He added that the design continued to evolve and he promised to share information with the wider community once the process had reached a more advanced stage.

Mr Osborne said: "It is no secret that we have been looking at the future development of this site and to find a sustainable long term use for the former fish warehouse on Breageside."

In addition to speaking with Cornwall Council, he was also in talks with the author of the Porthleven Conservation Area Appraisal & Management Strategy, to ensure that proposals respected "the heritage of Porthleven given the prominent location of this site."

He believed that discussions should have been kept confidential, explaining: "Not for reasons of subterfuge or secrecy but because, as the design process proceeds, the plans may change significantly from the earliest drafts."

This was already the case with this pre-application, he said.