Sheldon House, Falmouth decision made on planning appeal

Ward councillor Laurie Magowan said the allowing of the appeal for Sheldon House in Sea View Road, Falmouth was yet another example of this planning process being decided by regional officials, overruling the views of the local community and local authority.

"Very disappointing," he said. "Yet another example of this planning process being decided by regional officials, overruling the views of the local community and Local Authority.

"Particularly concerning as it goes against the Falmouth Neighbourhood Plan and the impact on the conservation area."

Investin Sheldon Falmouth Developments Ltd appealed after its application to knock down the former Sheldon House Nursing Home in Sea View Road in Falmouth was refused by Cornwall Council.

Neighbours feared it would overshadow them and lead to a lack of privacy.

It was the fifth version of plans for redevelopment of the site with a previous application for 34 apartments also being refused on appeal.

Council planning officers had recommended that the new application be approved, but councillors were divided on the proposal. One of the main concerns was that there was no provision of any affordable housing on the site or a financial contribution to provide affordable homes off-site.

A view of Sheldon House from Pennance Road (Image: Google Maps)

There were also concerns about the scale and mass of the development with nearby residents stating that they felt they would be overlooked, overshadowed and experience loss of privacy if the development went ahead.

Councillors on the west Cornwall planning committee refused the application in June.

However the developer appealed with a hearing taking place before an inspector on October 18. The decision was made by the inspector this month to allow the appeal to let the development go ahead, while he did impose some conditions.

With regards to the overlooking of a neighbouring property known as New House he said there were already a considerable number of trees and shrubs that already have an effect on daylight and sunlight.

“In light of this I conclude that there would not be an unacceptable impact on the amount of daylight and sunlight received by The New House due to the presence of the proposed development.”

He added: “I therefore do not consider that the proposed development would appear overbearing or cause significant overshadowing to the occupants of The New House.”