Plans to demolish the Cornwall Car Centre next to Falmouth's police station and replace it with a four storey development housing 24 serviced apartments, will go before town councillors on Monday night.

The planning application has been submitted by Mark Fernihough who, through his agents, Laurence Associates, says the existing business is no longer viable and would close.

In a statement accompanying the application, they say: "The existing car sales business employs five staff, but is no longer viable. In the car sales industry it is now extremely hard to make a profit without having a very large site with manufacturer support.

"As such the market is seeing independent garages closing nationally. The accounts for the business show the business has not been viable for a few years and will close at some point.

"The serviced accommodation business will employ staff from the local area, at first it is envisaged that this would equate to two full time cleaners, full time office manager, and maintenance staff. Local contractors will be used for the hire and servicing of linen."

The serviced accommodation is aimed at those visiting Falmouth for business or leisure stays and would provide a type of accommodation that is not common in the area, which is traditionally made up of guest houses and hotels.

The proposed building is four storeys in height at the front and three storeys to the rear. The fourth floor to the main block will be narrower and set in from the edges, so that the building recedes from the road and adjacent buildings.

The proposed materials would be predominantly white render, but say the agents "the inclusion of timber cladding and glass balustrades affords a contemporary design aesthetic and helps to break up the massing of the building." Parking is proposed at the rear.

The agents add: "A poor-quality building and car storage area would be replaced by a high quality designed building that would uplift design standards in the vicinity and enhance the street scene."

The scheme will go before the town council's planning committee on Monday when councillors will discuss the plans and decide whether to support them. The meeting starts at 6pm.