An Art Deco building on Falmouth High Street which has fallen into disrepair after being empty for ten years could have residential units added.

Pre-application advice has been sought for the demolition of semi-derelict rear section of an Art Deco building at 39 Falmouth High Street and replacement it with two residential units at the rear.

Falmouth Packet: The developer says the proposal doesn’t seek to increase the footprint of the new build beyond the existing, any expansion will only be used to square the building and simplify the structure. The developer says the proposal doesn’t seek to increase the footprint of the new build beyond the existing, any expansion will only be used to square the building and simplify the structure. (Image: Britanic Industries Ltd/CC)

The front of the building on High Street would be used as a retail unit and for parking

The building was built in 1908 as a taxi garage for the King's hotel in Market Strand. It has also been owned by Falmouth Boat Co, or Falmouth Chandlers and was last used to house an interior design business.

Falmouth Packet: Existing rear section shown on right Existing rear section shown on right (Image: Britanic Industries Ltd/CC)

Known for its Art Deco street frontage the building has been empty and unmaintained for more than ten years.

The building comprises two distinct sections, at the front the original building dating back to the 1800s remains structurally sound.

The application Britanic Industries Ltd  says the rear section is open to the elements at roof level and, as a result, the building has severe water damage to the extent that the two floor levels have partially collapsed inside.

Falmouth Packet: The rear of the building is half covered in ivyThe rear of the building is half covered in ivy (Image: Britanic Industries Ltd/CC)

The current building has been in the applicant’s ownership for just over two years, during which time all forms of commercial enterprise have been investigated, but the level of rent anticipated doesn’t justify the expenditure required to bring the building back to a usable state.

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The applicant now seeks pre-planning advice for the use of the site as residential. The proposal would be to utilise the existing ground floor of the front section as car parking for two residential flats or maisonettes that would be located in the newly reconstructed rear section.

Falmouth Packet: Two residential flats or maisonettes that would be located in the newly reconstructed rear section. Blue areas will remain the same, the white is the new block. Two residential flats or maisonettes that would be located in the newly reconstructed rear section. Blue areas will remain the same, the white is the new block. (Image: Britanic Industries Ltd/CC)

 

A third car parking space and lift would be provided for the use of the residential property behind known as Briton's Slip, which is also within the applicant’s ownership.

The site has previously been used as a garage and an internal turntable would allow vehicles to enter and leave the site in forward gear and pedestrian access would also be created. The revenue generated by residential use would allow the lower ground floor to be used as a retail space accessed of the public ope to the side.