Kimberley Park Lodge, Falmouth development when will it happen?

This was the stark message issued at a meeting of Falmouth Town Council's finance and general purposes committee on Monday. The call came after councillors were told that there was no progress to report on the park lodge conversion into a radio studio and cafe which was still going through planning.

"In all the years I have been on the council, which is 12 years we still haven't sorted it out," said Cllr Alan Jewell. "So wouldn't it be nice next year to get the thing done? It's been forever we need to get this lodge sorted out because it's just such a waste of a building, you know? Do think if we get planning permission we can get this done next year please?

"We've achieved so much. We've got the Princess Pavilion, let's get that done."

The rear extension is beyond repair

Town clerk Mark Williams told councillors they needed to source new funding for the project to go-ahead even if they got planning permission.

Falmouth mayor Cllr Steve Eva said he thought Source FM were going to source funding because they were going to use the building and also whoever runs the cafe would have to pay for converting it into a cafe.

"I have been on the council for 18 years and we started talking about it then," he said. "So I do believe that if we don't get on with it this year it will probably never ever happen. I'm with you Allan, let's get it going, let's sort it out. We all want to go in the right direction, we all want to see this happen."

The lodge has lain empty for many years

Asked by Cllr Jayne Kirkham what the situation was financially, finance officer Ruth Thomas told the meeting they had £45k in reserve for the project.

"That won't be nearly enough," said Ms Kirkham. "We will have to do an awful lot of fundraising to try and cover that.

Town clerk Mark Williams told the meeting that Source FM, given their status, would be in a better position to attract funding.

Ambitions plans to redevelop the lodge at the entrance to Kimberley Park were revealed in March this year. The new design will convert the area into a community space to be enjoyed by all and will include studio space for Source FM and a cafe.

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The radio studios will be used by the community radio station to broadcast its programmes as well as providing workshops for the local community and enable it to be closer to the Park Live events which are held in the park.

The park lodge in Falmouth has been empty for many years and used to house the park warden who looked after the site. The rear of the site is beyond repair and will have to be rebuilt.