An application which would have seen the number of students living in a Penryn building almost treble from eight to 21 has been refused by Cornwall Council's planning department.

The proposal from Robert James to extend the Old Telephone Exchange at 97 Helston Road raised objections from 20 local residents, concerned about issues including overdevelopment, parking pressure, possible anti-social behaviour from occupants, insufficient amenity space for 21 people, and a loss of privacy.

Discussing the application in December, Penryn Town Council said it had “no objection to the principle of development on this site, but objects to the current proposal.”

In his decision notice, Phil Mason, head of planning and enterprise at Cornwall Council, said: “The proposal would result in the increased scale, height, footprint, and density of 97 Helston Road, which is considered to result in over-development of the site, and failure to respect the adjoining Penryn conservation area and setting of nearby listed buildings.”

He continued: “The proposal would result in an un-neighbourly development by reason of its increased size, height and massing, additional windows, and the significant increase in number of occupants, living in very close proximity to 1-4 Park Wise, Park Villa, Flat 1 Park Villa and Flat 2 Park Villa, which would result in loss of privacy, over-bearing impacts, and unreasonable disturbance.”