Resident concerns over Royal Duchy mews houses in Falmouth, Cornwall

The Royal Duchy Hotel in Cliff Road has applied for planning permission to carry out the work on buildings at the back of the hotel, in Emslie Road.

It wants to demolish the existing nine garages, storage facilities, eight former staff bedrooms and a small maintenance shop in order to build a terrace of six residential mews houses.

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However, some residents are concerned about the impact on the conservation area and say they are also worried that the houses could become holiday accommodation.

One Falmouth resident, who asked not to be named, said: "More holiday lets are the last thing we need. There’s already an oversupply, adding to traffic problems and putting more pressure on local resources.

"They said in the press that they ‘want to boost the Cornish property market ‘and ‘help meet local housing targets’. Affordable homes are what’s needed – not expensive houses in a prime location, where a scheme that’s 100% affordable or affordable rented just wouldn’t be viable."

An image of the proposed houses overlayed over the existing garages, by architect Richard Tosic

The official 'after' image Picture: CAD Architects/Cornwall Council

The topic is covered in some detail in a 14-page document lodged by a local planning consultant, Jenna Swanson of JS Planning Studio Cornwall, acting on behalf of the group of local residents.

Ms Swanson refers to Falmouth Town Council recommending approval of the plans "subject that the residential houses are rented to local people/key workers only at an affordable rent."

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However, she states: "As the development comprises less than ten dwellings the local planning authority have no jurisdiction to place such a condition on the proposal and would be open to legal challenge if such a condition were imposed."

Ms Swanson adds: "It’s understood that there’s an urgent need in the area for one/two bedroom affordable homes for local people, however this application proposes six large, open-market dwellings.

"It’s also appreciated that ‘brownfield’ sites in towns present the most sustainable location for new homes. However, this is a narrow and constrained site where the proposed dwellings will result in a cramped form of development, out of character with the surrounding area, with no gardens and limited parking.

"As such, the proposal would impact streetscape character and be harmful to residential amenity of existing residents as well as future occupants of the scheme."

Parking around the garages in Emslie Road

Another resident said: "It brings an ‘urban’ aesthetic which is out of place here. By calling it a 'mews', the developer is attempting to sugar-coat what is simply a maxed-out development on a small plot.

"All the buildings in the same line as this site are hotels and apartments facing the sea. None border Emslie Road. Two-plus storeys right on the kerbside is a new and intrusive change to the setting which sets a dangerous precedent for the rest of the surrounding area."

The residents also fear there is not enough parking provided.

John Gendall said: "Although garages are provided we all know that people just use them for storage. Assuming an average of 1.5 cars per household this means an additional nine cars parking in an already crowded road."

Architects on behalf of the hotel say: "The proposals will help meet local housing targets, with less need to develop greenfield land within the open countryside. There is an identified need for new housing."

Public comments can be submitted to Cornwall Council via the online planning register any time before the decision is made, quoting reference PA21/11374.