PLANS for more homes in Launceston went on show last week, with residents again raising concerns about the town’s existing infrastructure.

Exhibition boards at Launceston Town Hall last Thursday, August 25, introduced visitors to proposals for a new ‘distinct residential district’ for the town on land adjacent to the town’s Link Road, and South Petherwin Road.

As well as up to 275 homes, the aim of developers is for the mixed use site to house a much-anticipated Morrisons supermarket, filling station, pub, hotel, coffee shop and fast food restaurants.

‘Hybrid’ planning permission has already been granted for the range of uses on the site. Full detailed planning permission has been granted for the foodstore and petrol filling station, plus the new access road into the site from the Link Road. A further detailed planning permission has been granted for the pub/restaurant.

However, as the remaining part of the development was granted ouline planning permission, a further detailed reserved matters application needs to be submitted to Cornwall Council.

Public feedback on the details of development was sought at the exhibition to help ‘finalise the plans for a forthcoming application for the approval of reserved matter application’.

Local resident Les Kennedy said of the proposals: “They haven’t taken any account of the infrastructure of the town, there’s no additional school in this plan — we are desperately short of school classrooms. There is no mention about emergency services, or what we are going to do about the doctors’ surgery.”

Rosemarie Kennedy noted that one of the exhibition boards said a transport assessment has been undertaken, the results of which ‘indicate that no significant impact will occur’. She said: “I can’t see how a development of 275 homes can’t have an impact.”

Another member of the public, who did not wish to be named, said: “The town’s being destroyed. It’s too much. Not just this development, but the whole lot in the Tavistock Road side of the town, Stourscombe area — it’s just too much.

“Where are all these people going to work?”

But town councillor Roger Creagh-Osborne said a pub, hotel and supermarket are the sort of things the town ‘is really lacking at the moment’.

He added of the motivation behind the exhibition: “It’s just putting the detail on what has already been approved.

“We really need more better quality housing.”

Les Whaley, a resident of Stourscombe Vale, who viewed the plans with his wife and a friend, said: “When I was chairman of Stourscombe Residents Association I spoke at the full council meeting in Truro in July 2013 in support of the development along the Link Road with a store with petrol station along with hotel and public house and other retails outlets,which would bring more choice for shoppers in and around Launceston and much needed jobs which is around 390 in the development.

“A hotel in easy reach of the A30 which would be available for people on business and people on holiday or visiting relatives in Cornwall, and a public house will be a family pub and restaurant which is much needed in the area and would be great for families on the new estates off Tavistock Road and with the additional homes next to the commercial development on the link road.

“Launceston over the last 15 years has had the benefit of new housing in Kensey Valley and in the areas of Stourscombe and Tavistock road which has given extra business for many traders in our town from food right though to domestic appliances, televisions and clothing along with eating places together the good service from our Post Office.”

He added: “There is a balance to be made with out of town shopping and support for our traders in the town with around 1,000 homes planned to be built in the next five years this will bring a retail draw and jobs to Launceston and more money into the our town.

“In June 2013 I know there was concern about the Millennium of 100 English Oak Trees and the 300,00 daffodils which look great each spring. On my research with the oak trees they may need more space between them to improve growth and it would benefit all of them if a few of were moved into the entrance of the new development and I would hope Launceston In Bloom planting team could have opportunity to work with the developer on new planing around the whole of new site site.”

The developers, Development Securities (Launceston) Ltd, said the proposals are likely to evolve further before the planning submission, and that comments from members of the public would be taken on board.

Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor for Launceston South, Jade Farrington, said: “I’m very pleased to see the start of the Southern Loop Road incorporated into the final road layout as this will open up the land allocated for employment to the south of the town. Launceston needs a wide range of employment opportunities so that none of our young people are forced to choose between their career ambitions and staying local. Our position right on the A30 and at the heart of Cornwall and Devon provides the ideal location for companies looking for a Westcountry base, and the allocated land offers the perfect opportunity.”

Those who went along to the exhibition can email any comments to [email protected], or write to Jillings Heynes Planning Ltd, The Studio, Two Acres, Newmills, Launceston, PL15 8SN.