A NUMBER of residents have turned out to object to a planning application for new dwellings on an ‘unused’ car park — they claim it is used.

The application for change of land use to residential development land, including the construction of four town houses at land west of the National School Centre, St Thomas Road, Launceston, was discussed by the town council’s planning committee last week.

Residents from Wooda, who did not wish to be named, told councillors: “Apparently it’s a disused car park. It’s not disused. We pay for two car parking permits at National School now — it’s not disused.”

Another resident said the site is in a ‘designated conservation area’, adding: “What about all the building lorries that will have to come? They will cause a hazard. It’s a negative thing to happen in that part of Launceston.

“It’s historically important and to lose that over four houses . . . there are lots of other places that can accommodate four houses.”

Cllr Jane Nancarrow said: “It is a really important area for the town. The land has been used for parking, it is still, and it is still needed for parking. Those who can afford it really need that space.

“Yes, we do need new homes but I think this is totally the wrong place. I think it is part of old Lanson, and we need to conserve this.”

Cllr Brian Hogan added: “Obviously it’s not unused, obviously residents are paying for parking permits in that area and it’s a useful resource, as Jane said, for the area.”

Cllr John Harris, who said he had picked people up from that area before, said ‘getting out is horrendous’.

He added: “I can’t envisage houses going up in that car park. I just can’t see how you can get four decent sized homes in that area.”

Cllr Dave Gordon outlined ‘three issues’ as ‘loss of parking’, ‘safety issues’ and ‘loss of conservation area’, adding: “And that’s enough to turn that down.”

Councillors voted not to support the application.

Since the meeting last week, one of the residents told the Post they had collected 40 letters of objection to the application from neighbours. The resident said they intend to hand the letters to Cornwall Council on Monday.

The applicant, Mike Stevenson, told the Post the permit scheme was started around a couple of years ago, is on a yearly basis and can be stopped at anytime.

He added: “We have plenty of parking for what we use the building up top for anyway, at National School.

“There are not many vehicles down there anyway. It’s a piece of ground we don’t need to have with National School.

“At least with our development we have got allocated parking.”

The final decision on the planning application rests with Cornwall Council.