At a meeting of Falmouth Town Council’s planning committee on Monday, councillors considered an application to renovate and extend the house at 17 Gyllyngvase Terrace.
What the house looks like now… (Image: Cornwall Council/la)
They recommended refusal after residents raised concerns that the proposed rebuild would be out of keeping with the terrace and would harm neighbours’ amenity.
Next-door neighbour Caitlyn Thomas told councillors that, if approved, “any trace of the existing beautiful 1930s arts and crafts movement house will be gone”, replaced by “a huge very modern property totally out of keeping with every other house on the terrace in terms of size and scale and the materials used”.
…and what it would look like if permission was given (Image: Cornwall Council/la)
Ms Thomas said the scheme would bring a “huge high wall” on the boundary about two metres from her sitting room and bedroom windows, harming the outlook and reducing natural light.
She said the extension would be “overbearing and utterly dominating”, creating overshadowing and a “narrow wind tunnel effect” that would affect enjoyment of her home.
Cllr Samuel Carmichael said the proposals would take “a beautiful 1930s house” and turn it into something “completely out of character”.
He proposed the application be recommended for refusal, and the committee supported that recommendation.
What the house looks like now… (Image: Cornwall Council/la)
In nine written objections on Cornwall Council’s planning portal, residents argue the increased height and bulk would reduce daylight and winter sunlight, create overshadowing and an overbearing outlook, and in some cases diminish sea and sky views.
Others raise concerns about overlooking from new windows or terrace areas and the loss of privacy for neighbouring rooms and gardens.
…and what it would look like if permission was given (Image: Cornwall Council/la)
Objectors also say the development would amount to overdevelopment of the plot, narrowing gaps between buildings and breaking the established roofline and rhythm of the terrace within the Conservation Area.
Some comments also refer to parking pressure in the area and claim changes to the access could remove an on-street space, while others are worried about noise, dust and construction traffic if the building is largely demolished and rebuilt.
The application reference is PA26/01331. Cornwall Council’s planning officers will consider the submissions before deciding whether to approve or refuse the scheme.
The design and access statement says the proposal would modernise and extend the existing home to create a four-bedroom property, using materials such as natural slate, locally sourced stone and render.
It argues the updated form would be a “cohesive and considered” response to the street and wider townscape and should be approved.