A CONTROVERSIAL application to demolish an iconic seafront house and replace it with four storey 'Italianate' apartment block has been withdrawn.

Developer Harrogate Estates had applied to demolish Harrogate House in Queen Mary Road and build in its place 15 unit apartment block with a penthouse, complete with its own tower as well as a separate 'Wellness Centre'.

However the application attracted the ire of local people with 56 public comments of objection to the application on Cornwall Council's planning portal.

In September, Falmouth Town Council's planning committee unanimously agreed the application was completely out of place and recommended refusal.

Cllr John Spargo said considering the research the designer appeared to have done, what they had come up with was 'incredible' and not in a good way.

"The architects for this are from Manchester," he said "and I think it should be built in Manchester. Nothing to do with Falmouth," he said.

Local businessman Paul Hills told the committee that the house should not be allowed to be demolished.

"It is one of only a few building in the entirety of Falmouth seafront that hasn't been knocked down and replaced with apartment blocks," he said.

"So if we get rid of this one we lose some of Falmouth's history forever.

"It was the very first house on the whole of this site and if you look at photographs of Falmouth all you can see is this house and the hotel next door to it."

It is not known whether the developer will be coming back with another application.