Bell's Court, Falmouth, developer makes homes pledge

In a letter to the Packet, John and Martin Fisher-Davis, directors of F P Kitchener Ltd, say they are a family run local developer who have spent the last two years consulting with the senior historic environment development officer to provide much needed reasonably priced homes at Bell's Court and Smithick Hill in Falmouth, "Following this long period of negotiation, we have recently finalised the scheme," they said.

The proposed building in Bell Court and Smithick Hill behind. Image CAD Architects

Consisting of eight apartments in two blocks which have now been reduced in size since the last application was refused and include a larger garden area. They say the first four will be marketed between £140,000 and £155 ,000.

"The land for the proposed build has been owned by us for over 40 years and we demolished the derelict housing that originally stood there," they say. "It is unfortunate that our pre-planning application was incorrectly labelled in the press as a "land grab" and that the size and placement of the buildings in relation to its location misrepresented. We are committed to provide lower cost homes for Falmouth and are asking the people of Falmouth to support our new planning application.

The Smithwick Hill site before and after. Picture CAD Architects

The add: "In recent weeks the media has been full of reports and letters concerning the housing crisis in Falmouth and Cornwall. These include pleas from local councillor Jayne Kirkham and young local people to provide better quality affordable properties for those out priced by increased house prices and the proliferation of second homes. Cornwall Council have also declared a housing crisis and it is apparent that many young people are finding it harder to find their first home."

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The application has been met with opposition from local people and local business Beerwolf Books who are situated on Bell's Court say the new development would an "over-development of a historic setting and conservation area". They have appealed to people to oppose the application.

How the Smithwick Hill site currently looks

Bell's Court itself dates back to the 17th century and has been used as a customs house, packet ship station, post office, working men’s club and the house of Captain Bell and his family.

The planning application reference is PA21/11372 and can be found on the Cornwall Council planning website.

You can read the letter here