A new military activity centre could be developed on a remote part of the Lizard Peninsula.

The plans involve the MOD observation post at Porthkerris, near St Keverne, which was the southern point of an airborne torpedo/mine testing range until 1994.

The three-storey building has more recently been used as sleeping and mess accommodation by military personnel taking part in diving and other outward bound activities, but is now described as being "in a significant state of disrepair and

not safe for occupation."

Rory Simpson, of Wessex Reserve Forces and Cadets Association in Taunton, has asked Cornwall Council for pre-application advice on completely demolishing the observation post and replacing it with a single-storey building that would provide 21 beds divided between six bedrooms, along with a dining area and a roof deck for extra outdoor space.

The idea is to provide better facilities that would allow for a wider range of naval personnel, including younger and older family members and those with disabilities, to take part in activity sessions there.

In his letter to the council, Mr Simpson has written: "The building will remain an MOD asset providing facilities for military personnel.

"The intention with the new building is to use materials and details that ground the building in its landscape to minimise its visual impact - ie muted neutral shades and finishes that weather in ways similar to the surrounding rocks."

The work would include a "significant upgrade" of the foul waste storage facilities, which are described as "wholly inadequate in their existing form." To keep tanks to a minimum, the redevelopment would be designed with water saving features.

He went on to add: "The existing facility is in a significant state of disrepair and is not safe for occupation. Originally a refurbishment solution was being looked at but an initial analysis identified that this would not be a financially viable solution given the major structural issues and design limitations imposed by the existing layout.

"A single storey solution provides the greatest flexibility including a roof deck that provides additional outdoor space."

Depending on the advice from Cornwall Council planning officers, a full planning application for the development may then be submitted at a later date.

The observation post at Porthkerris Point was the main control station in a torpedo testing range run by the RAF's Aircraft Torpedo Development Unit and subsequently by the Royal Navy, due to Falmouth Bay's proximity to RNAS Culdrose in Helston.

Cameras tracked the trajectories, entry angles and paths of dummy torpedoes and mines dropped by a variety of aeroplanes and helicopters.