A PLANNING application damned with faint praise for being 'not the worst that has happened' has been recommended for refusal after it was described as a 'shambles'.

The application to demolish the existing 'Anchorage' building at 28 North Parade, Falmouth and replace it with seven new dwellings came before the town council's planning committee last week.

The development was described by the case officer as being almost the gateway site to North Parade as it is the first dwelling along the road and so was very important in terms of its design and visual impact, adding; "It's not the worst that has happened' along North Parade.

Coun John Spargo said he had suggested to the developers that they created three different blocks but they hadn't done that and two of them were exactly the same.

"The first block is different and then the next two are exactly the same," he said. "I feel they've sort of missed the whole key to it there, is to have a variety of designs."

Falmouth mayor Steve Eva went further describing the design as a 'shambles'.

"It just doesn't work for me," he said. "The two blocks that are next to each other are exactly the same.

"I think its a bit of a shambles to be honest. It's a little bit too much for what it is. I think it is overdevelopment, it is squeezed in and for the area it is too much."

Councillors voted to recommend refusal of the application due to over development, excessive height and poor design with Coun Spargo adding: "The quality of the architecture is just not good enough for that location."