A CONTROVERSIAL application to build a two storey extension on the rear of a rare example of Cornish architecture has been given the go-ahead by planners.

At a meeting of Falmouth Town Council's planning committee on Monday, Cllr Alan Jewell told councillors that the application for Eastbury House in Boscawen Road had been approved that day by the county council.

The house was designed by renowned architect, Alfred Cornelius, in the early 1900's, assistant to the most prominent Cornish architect of the time, Silvanus Trevail. It was on the market for £995,000 when it sold recently.

The application had been recommended for refusal by Falmouth Town Council after it was told by the vice chair of the Cornish Buildings Group, Beverly Kendall that the application would be a 'desecration'.

"We are very concerned that the owners do not realise what a fantastic heritage asset that they have in this house," she said at the time. "It's one of the finest examples of Cornish distinctiveness by [Alfred] Cornelius, a pupil of Silvanus Travail, and it's following in the celebrated arts and crafts tradition which rejoices in such renowned people as William Morris."

The applicant's agent Dan Mitchell said his clients had gone a long way to retain the original features but the house 'obviously' needed an upgrade and they were trying to make it a modern house capable of being at a modern standard.

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Cllr Jewell, who was on the county council committee that voted to approve the application, told Falmouth councillors that he had abstained from the vote, and Cllr Spargo had spoken at the meeting

Cllr Jewell said other councillors on the committee felt that as there had already been such a mix and match development along Boscawen Road they had no choice but to approve it.

The application has attracted 21 public comments all of them objecting to the application.

Cornwall councillor Laurie Magowan, writing on behalf of Falmouth Bay Resident Association, summed up the feelings of many of the objectors.

He wrote: "Despite the revised plans, The FRBA still believe the designs compromise the architectural value of the property and adversely impact the local character of the Conservation Area. It is also believed that despite the reduced balcony area in the south west corner, issues remain in terms of overlooking and privacy issues for neighbours.

"The FBRA believe that the revised plans do not go far enough to address their original concerns regarding the original and distinctive Cornelius designed property and feel they should be declined in favour of a more appropriate "scale, siting and design" as outlined in the original 2009 planning application."