Boscawen Fields, Falmouth decision made on eco-home proposal

Paul Harvey, was originally given permission to build one home at 11 Boscawen Road, Falmouth, but wanted to build another eco home in the southern part of property's garden next door to Boscawen Fields, a popular public open green space.

But after visceral objections from local residents and public bodies including the town council, Falmouth Residents Association, Falmouth Civic Society, The Ramblers Association and Falmouth & Penryn Conservation Committee, the application has been refused by Cornwall Council.

Images of what the house would have looked like. Image StudioArc

At meeting of Falmouth Town Council's planning committee last month, Mr Harvey's representative Dan Mitchell told councillors that the proposed development at no 9 was of high quality.

"The scheme is very much a design led solution to deliver a high quality development on the plot so no harm is incurred on the local elements deemed worthy of protection," he said.

"The site is not part of the important local space of Boscawen Fields nor will it have any adverse visual impact upon the fields themselves.

Boscawen Fields is a popular public green space

"The low impact design will ensure that the dwelling is out of sight from the open space on Boscawen Road. I spent a considerable amount of time attempting to view the plot from the coast path and Gyllyngvase Beach and I am pleased to say that due to the levels of the site, it cannot be seen from public view points.

"The scheme has been dug into the site to ensure it is not going to impact the adjacent public open spaces. It will not erode any of the important green space the site is not prominent."

But Cornwall Council has rejected the application saying: "The proposed dwelling, by reason of its location, which extends beyond the existing pattern of residential development, together with the intensification of the use of this site, will cause less than substantial harm to the Falmouth Conservation Area."

It added: "In terms of the public benefits, the community have clearly demonstrated that their view is that the development of this site does not offer a public benefit as it is considered to result in the loss of a key open space identified as having a high amenity value."

Images of what the house would have looked like. Image StudioArc

In its original objection Falmouth & Penryn Conservation Committee said: "The committee would like to express their extreme strong objection to any development on this site which forms a coastal strip at the limits of a Falmouth urban area. We understand that planning history for this site shows a stream of refusals because Cornwall Council has always determined that there should not be development at this location.

The site from Gyllyngvase Beach. Image StudioArc

"The inter war architecture and character of this road is very important and often overlooked and under-estimated. To introduce such a modern design would be very detrimental to the Conservation Area and against stated objectives of the strongly emerging Neighbourhood Plan. The Applicant should be well aware following Pre-Application enquiries over a number of years of what the response would likely be to this application."