Green field development site at Swanpool

TO MEMBERS OF FALMOUTH BAY RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION

You may have read in the local press that the FBRA committee is objecting to a planning application to build a 32 unit housing development on a sensitive green field site at Swanpool. The site location plan and photo of the view across the site from one vantage point are shown below. We feel that a residential development on this site will be very damaging to the visual appeal of the area and spoil many attractive views from a number of vantage points.

In formulating our position we were careful to ensure that refusing this development would not seriously impact on the provision of key/affordable housing in the Falmouth area.  We found that the latest policy planning documents identify a number of sites for development in and around Falmouth to meet the town’s housing needs. These plans specifically exclude the Swanpool site now under threat. Quite simply, Falmouth’s critical housing needs can be met without destroying valuable green field sites.

Unfortunately, Falmouth Town Council’s planning committee appeared to be referencing inaccurate and out of date information when deciding to recommend the application for approval at its meeting last Monday. (A matter we are investigating)

Falmouth Town Council is only a consultee in the planning process, the final decision on the application will be made by Cornwall Council.  The decision may well be influenced by the level of representations made.  Anyone who feels that this development should not go ahead is invited to make their views known as follows:

By letter to:    Mr Peter Bainbridge, Planning and Regeneration, Cornwall Council, Carrick House, Pydar Street, Truro   TR1 1EB

By e-mail to planning@cornwall.gov.uk.

in all correspondence please quote the planning application number   PA14/12058

Direct comment may be made on the online planning register on the Cornwall Council website but you may have to register to do so.

(In formulating responses, reference to unnecessary and harmful damage to valuable and beautiful green land could be supplemented by one or more of the specific bullet points, listed under the images below, which were compiled by committee member Malcolm Leather. Also, our letter of objection, as reproduced in yesterday's West Briton, is attached.)

All the evidence clearly shows that, overall, this development would be harmful to Falmouth. Let’s hope that message is heard.

Application  PA14/12058.   Points of note:  (Courtesy Mr M Leather)

·         Proposed development adjacent to an AONB just across the road.

·         Proposed houses in a greenbelt area, and would ruin the the beautiful coastal views people see when approaching from the Golf Course end.

·         Also seen from the sea, and the coastal footpath from Gyllyngvase.  

• My personal view, and that of many people I know, is that my heart ALWAYS lifts when I come down the hill and see the green fields and the ocean.

·         The impact on the whole area to lose that vista would be devastating.

·         A Neighbourhood Plan currently being discussed and it appears this application being rushed through. I ask why?

·         Proposed 32 houses on 3.7 acres(1.5 hectares) is very high and equates to 11.5 houses per acre.

·         12 affordable houses proposed is a smokescreen to build upwards of 12 four bedroom houses for maximum gain.

·         Housing Type D is a block of flats, look like Cell Block H, totally out of keeping with the existing lower density in the vicinity of Swanpool. It would dominate the area and ruin the natural landscape that atttracts people to the area.

·         Access proposal is in a very dangerous location as it would join the existing road just before the steep blind bend down to the beach.

• No footpath on the road opposite the junction and proposed foothpath on left-hand side of road would make the road even narrower.
• More mature trees would be lost.
• Possibility of Arsenic contamination.
• Flooding on east side of Swanpool, closed the road for 48 hours last year and would in my view ,increase.