A CONTROVERSIAL application to renovate and extend a prominent house in Falmouth was back before the planning committee this week - with the same result.

The application for White Wings on Harbour Terrace to create a 'New England' design with wooden slats was last submitted to the town council's planning committee on April 26 when it was recommended for refusal.

It had received over 40 public objections and at the time the design was described as 'massive', 'obtrusive' and an 'eyesore' which would be seen across the whole of Falmouth.

However, at the latest meeting of Falmouth Town Council's planning committee on Monday night, councillors were told that the owners had listened to the objections of local residents and come up with an alternative design.

Falmouth Packet:

The new designs were rejected by the council. Image Marrum Architects

Julian Mills from Marraum Architects told councillors that what was before them tonight was being amended in line with these areas of objection. "Since we last met we have been working through a number of amendments to create a revised design," he said.

Falmouth Packet:

The new designs were rejected by the council. Image Marrum Architects

"The proposal has been guided by listening to comments, the local planning authority, town council and local councillors past and present, along with the thoughts of neighbours and the wider community. The process started with a full digest of the objections to find out, amongst the emotion, what the true drivers for non-support were."

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He said height has been reduced go below the existing building height, nearly 300mm or a foot lower, and the mass had been decreased with less bulk with a 20 sq metre increase in footprint of the original property.

He said the impact of the revised scheme on Falmouth from land and sea would be 'negligible'

"Our client does not want to create an unneighbourly proposal," he said.

However, Cllr John Spargo said he thought the design was all wrong: "The whole thing has been deliberately done to build a modern version of what was there before and what was there before isn't appropriate in a conservation area, unfortunately. The materials are wrong, the shapes are wrong."

Cllr Steve Eva pointed out that the application plans showed a metal roof, instead of the slate it was supposed to be and they could only vote on what was in front of them.

Councillors again recommended refusal for the application.