A pub at the centre of a proposed large development in the middle of Falmouth has urged its customers to make their objections heard.

As reported by the Packet earlier in the week, developers have submitted a planning application for ten flats and a shop for land at Smithick Hill and Bell’s Court.

The owners of Beerwolf Books have said this would result in development work taking place on the garden area in front of their pub and also directly behind.

They have now written on the pub’s Facebook page in a direct appeal for help.

They said: “If you feel that the development would constitute overdevelopment of an historic setting and conservation area; be of overbearing massing and scale in a small area, cramming in inadequate accommodation; have a negative impact on the facade of a historic building; result in loss of light to a public house; affect the privacy of neighbours by overlooking; create huge disruption to public right of ways; impact negatively on parking amenities within the area, or have any other thoughts then consider filing an objection on the [Cornwall Council] planning portal.”

The owners go on to describe Bell's Court, where Beerwolf is situated adjacent to the proposed development site, as a “valuable part of historic Falmouth” dating back to the 17th century, which had been used as a customs house, packet ship station, post office, working men’s club and the house of Captain Bell and his family.

Falmouth Packet:

A drawing of the proposed upper block

Documents accompanying the planning application, from John and Martin Fisher Davis and H Mason Ltd, also described it as “one of the town’s most ancient locations,” as it was in the area around the site that the settlement of Smithick was chartered in 1677 and Falmouth was born.

A letter from Falmouth Civic Society is among the 20 comments of objection currently submitted to the Cornwall Council website.

In it the society describes the “adverse effect” such a development would have on the listed Bells Court, one of the oldest buildings in Falmouth, and describes the plans as “overbearing, detrimental and causes substantial harm.”

It also objects on the grounds of “poor design of inadequate and cramped accommodation, of site cramming and inadequate open space.”

Others describe it as detrimental to a “unique area which provides a special insight into the town’s past,” with holidaymakers also leaving their objections. There are currently no comments of support.

Falmouth Town Council is due to debate the application when its planning committee meets on Monday evening.

Chartered town planner Kevin Moseley, working on behalf of the applicants, has argued that the development would “not only preserve, but will result in a positive enhancement of the character and appearance of the conservation area.”

He added: “The land is currently in an ‘unsightly’ condition, and has a harmful impact upon the character of the conservation area and the setting of nearby listed buildings.”

Falmouth Packet:

The proposed apartment blocks would be built in currently unused land

He said the applicants owned the area of land and had already taken the decision to remove the “previous unsightly/dilapidated building,” leaving the site open as it currently stands.

The plans show only one parking space, following previous planning officer advice that a residential development close to a range of existing facilities and services would have “no need to provide any onsite parking for vehicles”, although cycle parking and waste storage would have been allocated.