Plans for a 2,000 bed student village at Treluswell in Penryn have been put before Cornwall Council.

The council is understood to have received a request for pre-application advice for a development across eight fields between Treluswell and the A39, close to the Four Winds Garage, with a request that the plans remain confidential.

The plans are reported to include an Aldi supermarket and a hotel.

Rachel Gerred-Hart, who runs the Facebook page Penryn Planning Apps, said there appeared to be local support for the scheme. "People don't want the cap lifted [on student numbers] but they would support a village out of town for the students that are currently here."

She said the tenancies should be offered to students for the duration of their course, rather than for just the first year, as currently accommodation is provided for new arrivals but then they are "shoved out into the community."

"People are losing their homes because they are shunted out in favour of students.

She said: "If students were put in a village you are going to find a better feel in the community, and the students will have more structure.

"They go to their pods, go away for the summer, and they are back next year: they have a home."

Mayor of Penryn Mark Snowdon said he thought there could be "merit" in the plans and it could help preserve local industrial and business areas, which could then be used by students for start-up businesses.

He said: "My main areas of concern is that our existing housing stock should be protected if possible.

"We don't have vast swathes of land we can open up for business/retail/industry,so what we have, we should protect, not build accommodation on. With the right scheme, it certainly could help the situation we are faced with."

Asked about the development, a spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: "A developer can ask that any pre-application advice remains confidential for commercial reasons."